Edna C. Wickens

Edna Caroline Wickens passed away November 17, 2017 at Pondera Medical Center Extended Care in Conrad.

Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, November 21, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chester. Burial to follow in the Catholic Section of Chester Cemetery.

Edna was born June 1, 1921 in Lothair to Eugene “Ike” and Jessie “Annie” Diemert. She attended elementary school in Lothair and received her high school diploma through a Chicago correspondence.  Edna married William Wickens on November 26, 1941 in Chester. They later divorced in 1972.

Along with raising their 3 children, they owned and operated the Chester Hotel. Edna also rented and operated the Mint Café with her partner, Irene Harmon.  After they moved to Great Falls in 1966, she worked in the kitchens at CMR and Valley View Schools and at Kmart as a personal manager.  In 1973 Edna began working as a clerk in the Cascade County Treasurer’s office and worked for 16 years in the same office until retiring in 1989.  In 2010 she moved to the Skyline Lodge in Choteau and later in 2012 she moved to the Sweetgrass Lodge in Chester.

Edna was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Great Falls, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Choteau, Eagle’s Auxiliary, Public Employees, and school PTA’s.  Edna was an Cascade County election judge for many years.

Her hobbies included dancing, camping & fishing, reading, taking walks, crocheting, and collecting stamps & coins.  Edna made many memorable trips including New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, and Panama Canal.

Survivors include sons, Allan Wickens of Ketchikan, AK and Wyatt Wickens of Fairbanks, AK; and daughter, Sharon Vick of Cupertino, CA.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Clark Diemert; and sisters, Jessie Diemert and Abbie Skierka.