Edna M. Grundman

Edna Margaret (Bohlken) Grundman was born on a farm southeast of Talmage, Nebraska, on December 14, 1920. She was one of three children of Harm and Gescha (George) Bohlken. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Talmage. Edna received her elementary education at Spring Valley Country School, Talmage, and Brock Public Schools, and graduated from Brock in May of 1938. She attended Peru State Teachers College for one year, and then taught at Greenfield Country School near Elk Creek, a country school by Dunbar, and Charter Oak Country School for five years before returning home to help on her parents’ farm.

In February 1946, her brother Vern, and cousin, Floyd Bohlken, drove her to Pensacola, Florida, where she married Norbert Fred Grundman on February 20, 1946. Three children were born to this union: Robert Alan, Barbara Lea, and Connie Sue. Norbert was stationed with the Navy in Florida, where they lived briefly before returning to Nebraska where they set up farming.

Edna and Norbert were regular attendees at their children’s events. They also enjoyed dancing, traveling (a favorite trip was to Hawaii for their 40th Wedding Anniversary), and playing cards, belonging to a card club that lasted for 50 years. Edna was a member of Zion United Church of Christ since 1946, and the Church’s Women’s Fellowship Group since 1961. Norbert died on February 4, 2004, just shy of their 58th Wedding Anniversary.

In August 2011, Edna moved from the farm to an apartment at the Savannah Pines Retirement Community in Lincoln. In April of 2017, Edna was taken to the hospital with hip pain, and after a steady decline in health, was moved to The Waterford at Williamsburg Assisted Living facility in Lincoln. It was there that Edna died on May 9, 2017, having reached the age of 96 years, 4 months, 25 days. In addition to her parents and husband Norbert, Edna was preceded in death by brothers William and wife Lucille Bohlken, and Vern Bohlken.

Edna is survived by her son Robert and wife Diane Grundman, and their children Mark and Jennifer; daughter Barbara Swarthout and her daughters Lea Straw, and Cheyanne Swarthout and friend Phil Hawkins; daughter Connie and husband Bill White; great-grandson Brayden Straw; step-grandchildren Christine, Bob, and Robyn; step-great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Rachel; sisters-in-law Lois Bohlken, Irma Grundman; brother-in-law Ralph Grundman and wife Ruby; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A funeral service will be Friday, May 12, 3:00 p.m., at Zion United Church of Christ in Talmage. Burial will follow in Grant Evergreen Cemetery. No visitation is planned.