Edna F. Lichti

On January 20, 1932, Edna Faye Kempf was born to Roy and Barbara (Troyer) Kempf on a farm near Shickley, Nebraska. She passed away September 28th, 2023 at Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 8 days. Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Barbara; her husband, Lawrence; siblings and spouses, Roine (Ivan) Birky, Bernice (Lowell) Steider, and Wayne (Esther) Kempf; and brother-in-law, Richard Lichti. Edna is survived by her sister-in-law, Wilma Lichti; her sons and their wives, Dr. Doug (Gayle) Lichti and Tim (Judy) Lichti; her grandchildren and their spouses Kristin (Dave) Kaiser, Brandon (Michelle) Lichti, Sara Lichti (Forrest Schaeffer), Erin (Van) VanderSchaaf, Kate Lichti (Caleb Hendrickson), Anna (Lane) Baker and Chris (Ellie) Lichti; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous beloved nieces and nephews and their children; cousins, and the friends of all ages who blessed her life. Edna joined her siblings, and thousands of turkeys, on the busy family farm east of Shickley. She learned how to drive a tractor, run the turkey egg incubator, milk a cow, prepare a delicious meal from nothing, and sing the turkeys to sleep at night. As a child, she played often with “the other Edna” Roth, later Mrs. Don Eichelberger. In the home of her numerous Troyer cousins down the road, she was “just one more around the table,” and she made many fun memories there. Through the 8th grade, Edna attended the rural school near her home. Soon she was a proud member of the Shickley High School class of 1949. She worked on the first ever SHS yearbook, and was honored to sing in the All-State Choir. In her youth, Edna was baptized into the church family at Salem Mennonite Church. This was her beloved church home all her life. After graduation, Edna attended summer school at Fairbury Junior College, receiving her teaching certificate. She enjoyed teaching at 2 “country schools” in the Strang area. She also was proud to work as a teller at the Shickley State Bank. Edna’s early life prepared her well for all the adventures to follow her marriage to Lawrence Lichti on October 10, 1954. Two sons, Douglas and Timothy, were born to the young couple. Lawrence and Edna, and his brother Richard and wife Wilma, entrusted all their meager savings, and round-the-clock efforts, into starting a fuel business in the mid- 1950’s. Edna helped to keep books, and she and Wilma raised their boys while the men did whatever they could to make a success of Lichti Bros. Oil. Edna found time to be a Cub Scout leader, a Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp counselor, a gardener, a member of the Shickley Women’s Club and the Salem Women’s Circle, a singer, a seamstress, a Vacation Bible School teacher, and a delighted traveler to many of Lawrence’s business association meetings. She was a connector of family and friends, caring for aging parents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, and then her siblings and her husband. Edna particularly enjoyed spur-of-the-moment coffees and birthday parties around her dining room table. She took the party, in the form of her keyboard and her enthusiastic singing, to area nursing homes and shut-ins. She crocheted for the prayer shawl ministry at Salem, and found deep fulfillment in delivering the shawls; praying with, and weeping with, those experiencing illness and grieving losses. Edna was a top-notch Grandma to 7 Grandkids, and Grammy to 11 Great-Grands. She sparkled in many ways, outward and inward. A Funeral Service for Edna was held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Mennonite Church, rural Shickley, Nebraska. Pastor Ben Schlegel presided over the Funeral Service. Deb Jaberg provided the prelude and postlude music. Barb Steury accompanied the congregation in the singing of “I’ve Got A Mansion Over The Hilltop” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” Don Kempf led family members of Edna’s in the singing of “He Touched Me” and “The King Is Coming.” Pallbearers included Brandon Lichti, David Kaiser, Forrest Schaeffer, Chris Lichti, Van VanderSchaaf, Caleb Hendrickson, and Lane Baker. A Graveside Service was held in the Salem Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com

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Edna F. Lichti

January 20, 1932 - September 28, 2023