Edna Lee Lehew, 66, of rural Hiawatha, died Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Edna was born at Hillsboro, Kansas, June 5, 1952, the youngest of two children born to Alvin and Grace Ivalou Bender Backhus. Her family moved to Kansas City, KS where she grew up, attended schools, graduating from Turner High School with the class of 1970. A year later she married William Baker, Sr. and two children were born to this union: Cheryl and William Jr. “Billy”. She worked at various office jobs through the years including banks in Kansas City and Hiawatha. She also had worked for Marianne Schmitt CPA in Hiawatha a few years.

Edna grew up in the Lutheran Faith. After making Hiawatha her home, she became a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she recently started serving as secretary of the LMWL, ladies’ group of the Church. She enjoyed her flowers outside watching them grow and blossom. Edna was very devoted to her family and would do whatever she needed to do to make their lives easier. She enjoyed the farm life and bowling.

She married Robert “Bob” Lehew June 4, 1994, at Hiawatha. They made their home south of town on the Lehew family farm. As Bob’s health started failing, she was a devoted caregiver to him until he died April 14, 2018. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her children: Billy Baker (Cheryl), Cheryl Tarwater (Seth), Michael Lehew (Melody), Teri Hand (Ron), Connie Angrisani (John), Greggory Lehew (Cyndi), Tricia Perez (Eric), brother Edward Backhus (Tina), 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren. Brothers in law Harry Lehew (Susan), Richard “Dick” Marker (Luella) also survives.

A Celebration of Edna’s life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 23, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha, with Pastor Michael Dunaway officiating. Interment will follow at Hiawatha Cemetery.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where the family will meet that evening from 5 until 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church or Freedom Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com