Anna Irene Edwards, 89, a resident of Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Labette Health in Parsons. She lived in Erie before moving to the nursing home nearly three years ago.

She was born April 27, 1919, in Urbana to Everett and Gertie Dilley McGowen. She grew up in Shaw and graduated from Erie High School in 1936.

She married Marion R. Edwards in Oswego on Dec. 30, 1936. He died on April 2, 1998.

The couple lived in several places, including Erie, Paola, Eureka and Yale, Okla., before returning in Erie in 1978.

She was employed with the Neosho County Treasurer’s Office for several years in the 1950s. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a 50-year member of Erie Chapter 136 Order of the Eastern Star and served as its secretary for several years.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Lois Edwards, Erie; a daughter-in-law, Betty Edwards, Olathe; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and four step-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Ralph Edwards; a brother, Melvin “Bud” McGowen; and a sister, Mildred “Dude” Larcom.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at East Hill Cemetery, Erie, under the direction of Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Erie.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

The casket will be at the Prairie Mission Chapel from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday for visitation.

Contributions to Prairie Mission Retirement Village or Hospice Care of Kansas may be made in care of the funeral home, Box 182, Erie, KS 66733.