Edna Mae Peddicord

Edna Mae Peddicord, 93, a longtime resident of Wamego, Kansas, passed away Friday, September 9, 2011 at her home at Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan. Edna Mae was born November 16, 1917 in Salina, Kansas, the daughter of Alex and Hilma (Olander) Hederstedt. She attended schools in Salina, graduating from Salina Washington High School in 1935. She then attended Brown Mackie School of Business, Salina before moving to Chicago, Illinois and attending North Park College. After college she returned home and on April 6, 1944 she married Robert Lee Peddicord in Salina, he preceded her in death in 1987. Edna Mae worked as a bookkeeper for the family-owned businesses for most of her life. She was the Treasurer for Wamego United Way campaign from 1984-1992. She was the Campaign chairman of American Cancer Society of Pottawatomie County for seven years. Edna Mae served on the Board of Directors of the Columbian Theatre for many years, and on the Board of Directors of the Wamego Community Foundation. She also was a volunteer for sing-a-longs at regional nursing homes and senior centers and served as a docent for group tours at the Columbian Theatre. Edna Mae was a member of the Wamego United Methodist Church, Wamego United Methodist Women, Wamego Chamber of Commerce, Wamego Historical Society, Wamego Hospital Auxiliary, Wamego Legion Auxiliary, Wamego Friends of the Park, Wamego Bookend Society, The Columbian Theatre; Museum and Art Center, Manhattan Arts Center, Friends of McCain and Beach Museum of Art. Edna Mae loved her church, loved music and musical theatre. She devoted her later years to philanthropy in her community. She traveled extensively after the death of her husband, including two freighter trips. She loved and lived life to the fullest with the help of family and her many friends. Edna Mae is survived by one niece: Lauretta Werhan and husband Dr. Charles Werhan of Salina; one nephew: Dr. Cal Johnson and wife Inga of Brentwood, Tennessee; two granddaughters: Courtney Price and husband Jimmy, of McAlester, Oklahoma and Adrienne Milan and husband Don, of Colorado Springs, Colorado and many nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed close ties to her extended Peddicord family and many other friends, including Joe Braun and Thom Jackson. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, a daughter Lynne in 1998, her son Robert in 1974, a brother Marion, sister Helen and one niece, Sheryl Johnson. A memorial service for Edna Mae will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church of Wamego. Edna Mae will lie in-state beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a visitation with family and friends will follow from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. all at the funeral home. A private graveside service will be held Wednesday in Wamego City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Wamego, Columbian Theatre Foundation or Meadowlark Hills and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.