Edna V. Ernst

Funeral services for Edna Ernst of Overland Park, KS, formerly of Alberta, MN will be held Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Morris Evangelical Free Church in Morris, with Pastor Ed Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris.

Edna Vivian Alver was born on October 8, 1929 to William and Charlotte (Wells) Alver in Elgin, ND. She grew up on the family farm first in Elgin, ND and later in 1935 when they moved to a farm in Stevens County Minnesota. In her early years she attended country school and later graduated from Alberta High School.

On November 3, 1953 Edna was united in marriage to Wesley Ernst Jr at the Alberta Church of the Nazarene. Together they raised three children and worked their farm raising crops, cattle, and horses. Edna and Wes shared a devoted partnership through the years; she was a loving and supportive spouse working tirelessly on the farm and raising their family. Edna’s best and favorite times were taking care of and spending time with her family. She was a wonderful cook, well known for her pie baking skills. Many of her recipes are still enjoyed by the family today. Wes and Edna retired from farming in 1992; however, Edna was able to remain living on the farm until she was 90 years old.

Edna passed away on Monday August 3, 2026 at the age of 96 while living at Shawnee PARC in Overland Park, KS.

She is survived by her daughters Valerie (Lynn) Lemke of Nixa, MO and Nancy (Tim) Wilkerson of Merriam, KS; her daughter-in-law Bev Benson of Plymouth, MN; six grandchildren, Joshua Lemke, Rebecca (Logan) Self, William Wilkerson, Alexander Wilkerson, Robb Benson-Ernst, and Elizabeth Benson-Ernst; and a great granddaughter, Addison Self.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wesley Ernst; her son Douglas Ernst; a granddaughter Heidi Ernst; her parents William and Charlotte Alver; and her siblings, Doris Grabil, Don (Jane) Alver, and Gene Alver.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Edna.