Vigen Memorial Home obituary – Waleska Mary Gredell Edwards, 98, Keokuk

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GREDELL EDWARDS

Waleska Mary Gredell Edwards, 98, of Keokuk, IA died Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, IA.

She was born December 6, 1923 in Keokuk, IA, the daughter of Leo Bernard and Waleska A. (Ward) Gredell.  She graduated from St. Peter’s High School in Keokuk and received her nursing degree from Mercy Hospital in Davenport, IA. 

Waleska was united in marriage to Thomas Andrew Edwards on August 19, 1950 in Keokuk.  He preceded her in death on September 13, 1998.

She had been employed as a registered nurse at Graham Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Keokuk for thirty-two years, until her retirement in 1992.  She also did private nursing.

Waleska was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk.  She was very active in church activities and a member and past-president of the Altar and Rosary Society.  She had a heart for caring for others and loved to volunteer for the Red Cross Bloodmobile.  Waleska was also a member of the Keokuk Concert Association and enjoyed being active in other community activities. 

Waleska was a devoted mother and was a faithful fan of all of her children’s activities.  She was known as the neighborhood nurse and took care of all the kid’s bumps and bruises.    She was a wonderful cook and made deviled eggs and cookies for many fundraisers.  Everyone enjoyed receiving homemade peanut butter fudge and cookies at Christmas.  Waleska kept her mind sharp by playing Solitaire.  

She is survived by her children, Michael Leo Edwards (Judy) of Alton, IL Jean Elizabeth Edwards of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Katherine Edwards-Brumley (Tim Brumley) of Garfield, N.J and Christopher Ralph Edwards (Caroline) of New Albany, IN, and five grandchildren, Thomas Edwards, Colin Edwards, Lucas Edwards, Lindsey Edwards, and Benjamin Brumley.  She is also survived by one brother, George B. Gredell (Odean) of Pfafftown, N.C.

She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Katherine Gredell and Paula Gredell Polzynski and one brother, Leo Ward Gredell.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at All Saints Catholic Church with Reverend David Brownfield, Ph.D. officiating.  Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery.

Visitation will be held after 1 p.m., Monday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with the family meeting with friends from 5 – 7 pm.  A Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to All Saints Catholic Church, Keokuk Catholic Schools, Holy Family Catholic Church or the Keokuk Depot.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.

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