Edna Rehak
Edna Lois (Fixen) Rehak, a long-time Williston resident, passed away at Bethel Lutheran Home, early Saturday morning, Jan. 3, 2015, surrounded by her family.
Edna was born on July 1, 1932, on the Harstad place in rural Alexander, to Leonard and Elda (Abelmann) Fixen. She was the middle of seven children and grew up helping on the family farm. Edna attended Indian Hill School and remembered riding in the school bus driven by her father. She moved to Williston at the age of 14 to attend high school. She lived in a boarding room, and worked as a candy striper at Mercy Hospital, and later, at Andy’s Bakery while attending school. She graduated from Williston High School in 1950.
Edna met Ervin Rehak at the Grand Theater in Williston, while he was home on furlough from the Navy. They wrote many letters, which the family still has, to each other while he was stationed in Virginia. This correspondence, and subsequent visits, resulted in their wedding on Nov. 28, 1950, at the old First Lutheran Church in Williston. They were married 62 years and had five children.
They made their first home in Norfolk, Va. While living in Virginia, she worked at a flour sack company sewing sacks together. After Ervin completed his military service, they moved back to Williston. When Ervin started his own business, Erv’s Heating and Sheet Metal, Edna worked as his bookkeeper from home. She was a stay-at-home mom until their children were in junior and senior high school, and then worked as office manager at Midwest Motors. Later, she worked again as bookkeeper and receptionist for Erv’s Heating. Throughout the years, Edna and Ervin enjoyed traveling on trips earned through the business. For their 50th anniversary, they treated their children and grandchildren with a weeklong cruise to the Caribbean. She enjoyed camping with her family, first in a tent, then a camper, and later by purchasing a permanent place at Blacktail Dam where the family celebrated many of her birthdays and the Fourth of July.
Edna was a member of the First Lutheran Church and Rossland Lutheran Church, where she was active in Ladies Aid, and was a Sunday school teacher. She was a leader of 4-H, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, Bluebirds and Campfire Girls. She was an avid supporter of Williston High School sports, especially football, wrestling and hockey - having grandchildren and great grandchildren in Williston’s hockey program from 1986 until the present. Edna was a charter member of the Buttons and Bows Homemakers club, a member of the Williston TOPS club and a member of and served as Senior Regent of the Loyal Order of Women of the Moose. She was instrumental in organizing many Rehak family reunions, and added an artistic and crafty touch to any event she was involved in.
Edna is survived by son Steve (Sally) Rehak; daughter Delyte Lee (Randy Heckman); son Scotty (Kristen) Rehak; and son Jerry (Jame) Rehak, all of Williston; eight grandchildren, Nathan Rehak of Wasilla, Alaska, Garrett (Mikaela) Rehak of Williston, Matthew (Kerri) Rehak of Wasilla, Alaska, Chase (Lindsy) Rehak, Colby (Tarren) Rehak, Justin, Kaitlyn and Parker Rehak, all of Williston; six great grandchildren, Tyven and Gunner Rehak of Wasilla, Alaska, McKenna and Gavin Rehak of Williston, and Kaleb and Samuel Rehak of Wasilla, Alaska; sisters DeLoris Hagen of Williston, Ellen Novak of Alexander, Darlene (Merrill) Benth of Williston; brother James (Rae) Fixen of Alexander; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Clara Fixen of Williston, Howard (Janice) Rehak of Stanley, Dean Rehak of Ross, Audrey (Hans) Oldenburg of St. Paul, Minn., Delmer (Dana) Rehak of Big Sandy, Texas, and Carl Frisinger of Tioga. Also surviving her are 26 nieces and 24 nephews.
Edna was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Ervin A. Rehak; her parents, Leonard and Elda (Abelmann) Fixen; infant son, Leonard Anton Rehak; brothers, Harley (Elsie) Fixen and LeRoy Fixen; father and mother-in-law, Anton Rehak and Dora (Hauskey) Rehak; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, George Novak, Wayne “Red” Hagen, Roy (Arlene) Rehak, Richard Rehak, Bonnie Frisinger, Doris (Sonny) Ogden, Clara Rehak, and Donnie Cvancara. Also preceding her were her niece, Judy Cvancara Baker, and nephew, Dale Rehak.
Friends may visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share remembrances of Edna or leave condolences for her family. Friends may also call at the Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home of Williston Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and at the church on Friday for the hour preceding the funeral service. The Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family.
Her celebration of life will be held on Friday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. Services will take place at First Lutheran Church, Williston, ND. Interment will be held at Hillside Memory Gardens, immediately after the service. Reverend Martin Mock will officiate.