Edna M. (Dettman) Pickering

Edna Marie Pickering (Dettman), 102, died on Sunday December 20, 2020 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services for Edna Pickering will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond, with Pastor Leila Blackburn officiating. Burial will be held at the Belmond Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Saturday, April 17.

Edna’s family would appreciate those in attendance to follow guidelines for social distancing and the wearing of masks.

Edna was born on the family farm north of Belmond on December 11, 1918 to John A. Dettman and Rose Dettman (Brennan). She attended Hickory Grove School and graduated from Belmond High School in 1936.

Not finding suitable work in Belmond, Edna got a job as a house maid for the Jacob and Augusta Decker family in their homes in Mason City and Clear Lake. She met her future husband Ernest E. Pickering at the Soda Grill in Mason City and they were married in Cedar Rapids in 1941.

Edna worked most of her life. She performed many duties on the family farm and after moving to Perry with her husband and son Jerry she worked at the Hawkeye Cleaners. Twelve years later they moved to Sioux City where she worked at a card store and Wonder Bread Bakery. She worked in the Audit Department of Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Des Moines for four years. After returning to Sioux City she worked for 17 years at Younkers Department Store. Following the death of her husband she moved to Belmond in 2008 and lived in the Belmond Community Apartments.

Edna enjoyed gardening, reading, big band music, dancing, movies, and cooking. She and Ernest were active members of the Sioux City Masonic Temple and shared many good times with friends at parades and concerts. She was a story teller who enjoyed sharing stories about her life and the people in her life. Her motto, “work hard, think young, and keep active” guided her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest E. Pickering in 2006, her parents, and sisters Agnes Gabrielson, Ardie Johnson, Evelyn Beavers and Nellie Didio.

Edna is survived by her son Jerry L. Pickering and wife Susan of Indiana, Pa; three grandchildren, Kathyrine Glasser, Sara Pickering, and Michael Pickering; nine great-grandchildren, Nathan Yanosick, Summit Silvers, Joshua Glasser, Ari Glasser, George Pickering, Nickolas Pickering, Hannah Pickering, Quinn Pickering, and Michelle Pickering; and several nieces and nephews.

Edna’s family suggests memorial donations may be directed to the New Lyric Theatre in Belmond and sent to the family’s attention c/o Ewing Funeral Home, P.O. Box 301 in Belmond, Iowa, 50421.