Edna Frances Oedekoven

Mass of Christian Burial for Edna Frances Oedekoven will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 18, 2011 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Tim Martinson officiating. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Recluse Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. with a vigil prayer service at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.Edna F. (Bricker) Oedekoven, age 90, of Recluse, Wyoming passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2011, at Johnson County Memorial Hospital in Buffalo, Wyoming of natural causes.Edna, aka: Girly was born on the family homestead in Bridgeport, Nebraska in their home on January 10, 1921, to Milton and Mattie Bricker, the youngest of seven children. She attended elementary school in Nebraska. Edna attended high school in Gillette, Wyoming. She married James R. Oedekoven on December 28, 1938, in Rapid City, South Dakota. James made Edna walk across the state line from Wyoming into South Dakota during a typical Wyoming blizzard. Ed and Tootie Sharp witnessed the marriage ceremony. James always said he left with $25.00 and a model T and came back with a Model T and a wife. James and Edna resided in Recluse. Together the couple opened Oedekoven Garage and Implement, run livestock and had a water well service. In 1960, Edna became Post Master in Recluse and ran the Recluse General Store, for 22 years. She always expressed she loved every minute of it. Edna always made sure she had plenty of time for her family, even during the oilfield boom during the 70's and 80's. Edna carried many cases of pop and beer from the basement of the store to the coolers upstairs. For the longest time, Edna held the license to the smallest bar in the State of Wyoming. She was a very active member in the community. Edna held membership in the Pleasant Hour Ladies Club and was a charter member of the Recluse Petroleum Club. She was very instrumental in getting the Recluse Petroleum Club established. Edna maintained her membership in both clubs up to her death and remained active. She was also an officer for the Wyoming Postmaster's Association. Edna was a pilot in the late 40's and early 50's and loved to attend fliers meets. She was also a member of the Wyoming Flying Farmers. In the 1950's when times were tough, Edna ran a trap line in the winter months for extra income. She generally trapped muskrats and mink. After retirement in the early 80's, Edna enjoyed traveling, gardening, canning and she loved her gambling (all types horses, slots, keno and Powerball). In her later years she moved to Gillette where the highlight of her life was focused on the Senior Center in Gillette. She was a very social woman and became fast friends with everyone she came in contact with. In 2010, Edna moved to the Agape Manor in Buffalo, Wyoming. She enjoyed every moment spent there and again quickly became friends with all the staff and other residents. Edna is survived by three children: Nancy (Edward) Delaney, Richard (Connie) Oedekoven and Fred (Mary Ann) Oedekoven all of Recluse, Wyoming; ten grandchildren: James Delaney, Brenda Kilburn, Bonnie Byers, Laurie Kluz, Paul Oedekoven, Lisa Wilken, Bambi Johnston, Angel Lindblom , Jason W. Oedekoven and Cheri Irvin; 25 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James, her sisters: Bertha, Eva, Viola and Freda, her brothers: Charley and Clayton.Memorial donations may be made to the Recluse Community Trust. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Edna's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716