Funeral services for Edna Evangeline Schelske, 96, of Reliance, SD will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reliance, SD with burial in the Reliance Cemetery at Reliance, SD.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday at the Hickey Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain, SD.

View Folder Here

Edna passed away on April 14, 2025 at Sanford Care Center in Chamberlain with family members by her side.

Edna Evangeline Schelske was born October 21, 1928 to Frederick and Magdeline (Fry) Wagaman on a farm south of Reliance, SD.  She was a lifetime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reliance, SD.

She attended a small country school that she walked a mile across the prairie to. She then attended Reliance High School.

Edna was united in marriage to Alfred Schelske on September 22, 1945.  They made their home and ranched on the original Schelske homestead raising Herford cattle, golden wheat fields, and five daughters.

Edna was a woman of strong will and many talents.  She enjoyed keeping a beautiful home, quilting, gardening, and was an excellent cook.  She was very active in her beloved church and served as chairwoman of LWML for many years.

Edna and Alfred enjoyed going on many Herford tours and attending the banquets at the Denver Stock Shows.

Alfred passed away in July of 2010 and Edna remained on the ranch raising cattle and farming until 2024 when health reasons forced her to move into an assisted living in Chamberlain and later Sanford Care Center.

Gratefully sharing her life are her five daughters Jeannie (Lenny) Wolcott, Kathy (Bill) Randall, Nancy (Steve) Larsen, Deb (Ron) Volmer, and Laurie (Steve) Michels; 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband Alfred, her mother and father and grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.