Edna Flegler remembered in photos
by Jean Martin
A couple of generations of high school students were pretty sure they knew Edna Flegler. We knew her as the sentinel, the guardian of the principal’s office. Like most kids we were unaware that teachers and school personnel led full, grown up lives outside of school hours.
Rhonda Kloeckner Dedyne can fill us in on Edna’s early years and genealogy in Riley Township and St. Peter Church. She writes:
“Edna was one of the Luecht girls who lived just north on Forest Hill Road; the Witts and Luechts were among first houses on the mile stretch from Jason to Pratt road. My mom was a best fried of Edith, who married Carl Light and lived next to my grandma and grandpa on Jason across the road from Forest Hill Store. Bertha was another Luecht girl who married Clarence Light. Bertha worked at the store; I’ve often referenced Bertha as planting the seed for a love of history. The oldest girl was Dorothy who married Herm Pasch and lived just west of St. Peter. Dorothy is Ruth Nihart’s mom.”
When the new high school was built, Edna moved from Rodney B. Wilson High School to the new building where she was the secretary to Gordon Vandermark. This photo of Edna and SJHS office staff was taken during the 1969-70 Redwing boys basketball season that included conference and district championship crowns under the guidance of Coach Doug Japinga.
This photo was taken by Ed Cheeney for the 1970 yearbook.
The original caption reads:
HAVE THEY GOT THE SPIRIT? Yea, man! Enthusiasm is exhibited by Mrs. Luella Showers, Mrs. Elizabeth Cheeney, Mrs. Theresa Lundy, Mrs. Edna Flegler, Mrs. Irene Jumper and Mrs. Phyllis Tucker.
After her retirement, Edna became an incredibly active force within her church and the whole community.
Here Edna spends some time with Helen Fitzpatrick at an early Relay for Life.
In October, 2002 Edna was the recipient of the Patton Award. She is shown here with her family.
As a member of the depot restoration committee Edna chatted with Ben Munger and Bill Swears during the open house.
And when there was an open house at the cemetery office, Edna spent a few minutes chatting with Dave Miller.
For a fuller review of Edna’s remarkable life see this week’s obituary.