Edna Barsness

Edna Barsness, 89, of rural Brandon, died peacefully February 11, 2008 at Bethany Community Home in Alexandria. Edna was born August 23, 1918, in Urness Township, to Iver and Katie (Olson) Siira. She attended rural school at Moe Township District # 45 completing the 8th grade. She was confirmed at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran church and was an early 4-H member in Douglas County. In 1941 she left Urness Township for Portland, OR where she was a maid to the Meshers family. In the winter of 1942 she traveled to Detroit, MI to work as a waitress, and in the winter of 1943 she traveled to New York City where she was a waitress at Schraffs Restaurant, returning each summer to help her father on the family farm. On June 1,1947 she married Albert Barsness at the home of her parents and they made their home in Urness Township. In 1963 Albert went home to be with the Lord. Edna's greatest accomplishment was raising their five children on the Barsness family farm. Edna was an excellent cook who loved to share her Finnish heritage by making, in particular, Finnish "squeeky" cheese, but she also adopted her husband's Norwegian heritage and made the best lefse, rummegot, and krumkaka. She proudly passed on her Finnish heritage and language to her family. Edna was a 4-H leader for 20 years for the Urness 4-H club. She was honored as a Star Farmer in the Evansville FFA Chapter. She was a member of the Urness Homemakers Club, served as a Douglas County Volunteer driver and was active in Friendship Club, and the Douglas County chapter of the Republican Women serving as the clubs Treasurer for many years. Edna was a member of the West Moe Lutheran church and its Ladies Aid. Her early travels lead to a love of traveling. She traveled twice to the Siira ancestral home in Kajaani, Finland plus visiting many states and continents. Edna is survived by her five children, Katherine (Charles) Evenson, Fergus Falls, MN, A. Eugene (Joni) Brandon, MN, Ethel (Leslie) Joens, Eagle Butte, SD, Ingvald (Sheila) Barsness and Paul (Julie)Barsness, both of Brandon; twelve grandchildren, Karen (Greg) Aichlmayr, Colorado Springs, CO, Kim (fianc�, Kurt Peck) St. Paul, MN, Erin (Mike) Fisher, Audubon, MN, Shanna Femrite, Starbuck, MN, Tawnya (Mike) Lounsbery, Alexandria, Karina Joens, New York City, NY, Erik Joens, Rapid City; SD, Ryan Smith, Alana and Chase Faber, Joshua and Austin Barsness, all of Brandon; three great grandchildren, Ashley Aichlmayr, Brendyn and Ali Femrite. Edna is also survived by her brother, Rudy (Mary) Siira of Peoria, IL; sisters-in-law, Alice Siira of Brandon, Celene Siira of Culpepper, VA, and Signe Barsness, Fergus Falls, MN; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins and friends here and in Finland. Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; brothers, Wesley, Oiva, and Eino Siira; half sister and half brother, Aili and Toiva Kontio in Kajaani, Finland. She was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clifford Barness, Bernard & Hazel Bjokne and Ole & Marion Gjermundson. A funeral service was held Friday, February 15, 2008 at West Moe Lutheran Church at Brandon. Pastor David Gran Officiated. Interment followed in the church cemetery.