Edna Hazel McNown, age 96, of Mauston formerly of Antigo, Wisconsin died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones on April 16, 2011 from pneumonia.
Edna was born January 13, 1915 in Springfield, Nebraska the daughter of Martin and Carrie Herman. She graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1932. Edna earned her Teaching Certificate at Oneida County Normal and completed her Bachelors Degree at Stevens Point State College and her Masters Degree at Stevens Point State University. She began her distinguished career as an educator in Cassian Township rural schools in 1933. Later, she gained valuable experience as she assumed varied positions as a teacher in the Antigo area.
Edna was introduced to her husband, Dr. William Wallace McNown, through the matchmaking efforts of his brother, Harrison, who invited him up to Harshaw to meet the Herman girls; Edna and William went bowling and she beat him at the game. William waited a while before he called her back and they never bowled together again! They were married on November 22, 1942 in Forney, Texas. She contributed to the War effort by working for Army Ordinance at Camp Bowie, Texas. Edna and William returned to Wisconsin in 1946 and settled in Thorp where she taught second grade. They moved to Antigo in 1951, where she resumed substitute teaching in the Langlade County Schools. In 1961, Edna received a full time teaching appointment in Aniwa. In 1969, she was promoted to Teaching Principal at East Elementary in Antigo and taught third grade while she supervised the school until her retirement in 1980. Following retirement, Edna and William moved to Mauston to be close to their grandchildren.
Edna is survived by her Brother, Thomas (Dorothy) Herman; Daughter, Mary (Martin) Schultz; two sons, William (Hope) McNown and Rex (Brenda) McNown; five granddaughters, Carrie (David) Green, Jenny (Christopher) Sprau, Laurie (Troy) Greeno, Lindsey (Joe) Beck & Allison (Rob Kasten) McNown; three grandsons, Andrew McNown, Patrick (Amber) McNown & Robert McNown; two great granddaughters, Madison Green & Lydia Beck; four great grandsons, Jordan Green, Lincoln Green, Julian Beck & Leo Beck; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William McNown; Parents, Martin & Carrie Herman; six sisters, Elizabeth (Donald) Michie, Ruth (Edmund) Lundgren, Alice (Otis) Penton, Elsie (John) Gerhardt, Helen (Charles) Hill & Zella (James) Busche; and her brother in law, Harrison (Esther) McNown.
During her retirement years, Edna was especially assisted by her niece Jennifer (Peter) and their children, Kara, Shawn and Alaina Laursen who made Edna their adopted grandmother.
Special thanks are expressed to her neighbors, Ron & Sue Engevold for their kindness and to Baasansuren (Sonja) Migach, her loving caregiver.
A celebration of Ednas life will be held at Sand Lake, near Harshaw, Wisconsin, in July. Edna wished that memorial donations be designated to the Mauston United Methodist Women, the Alzheimers Foundation of America or to the Parkinsons Disease Foundation.
Good to see a tanlet at work. I canÂt match that.
Holy cconsie data batman. Lol!
Sending my sincere sympathies to Edna’s family…She always welcomed us to her home when we were growing up in Antigo. Enjoy all of the wonderful memories you have 🙂
Hope Reynolds Flemming
As neighbors and friends of the McNown family in Antigo WI, we knew of Edna’s tender and kind soul. My brothers and sisters were all friends of Mary, Bill and Rex and we have very happy childhood memories! Our condolences to the family xo
We took much pleasure in the visits & correspondence we have had with Edna over the years.
She was a remarkable women of great character who will be greatly missed but has left a wonderful legacy to her family. You are in our thoughts & prayers.