Letha Ann Lidgard Edlen

Letha Ann Lidgard Edlen, 67, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 26, 2016, at the Palliative Unit of Vidant Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina, following a brave and courageous six year battle with cancer. Letha was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on January 11, 1949, the second of five daughters born to William K. Lidgard and Olive Mardell (Nunn) Lidgard, who survive. Letha was raised on the family farm north of Chambersburg, Illinois, along with her four surviving sisters: Marsha Bina (husband Larry) of Perry, Illinois, Madeline Buhlig (husband Donnie Bob) of Meredosia, Illinois, Carla Ingram (husband Steve) of Decatur, Illinois and Terri Smith (husband Steve) of Chambersburg, Illinois. Letha married the love of her life and best friend, David H. Edlen, on Friday, December 13, 1968. Together they raised two children, Tara Nichole (Edlen) Hartsfield (husband David) of New Bloomfield, Missouri and Darin Lee Edlen (wife Cara) of Greenville, North Carolina. Other survivors include her grandson, William Lethan Lewis of Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico and her grandson, Warren Irving Edlen II of Greenville, North Carolina. She is also survived by two step-grandchildren: Noah Hartsfield (Wife Abby) of Columbia, Missouri and Aisha Hartsfield of Sullivan, Missouri and a great-grandchild, Gideon Hartsfield of Columbia, Missouri. Letha attended Meredosia-Chambersburg District Schools and graduated from high school in 1967. Following her graduation she worked at various occupations, including working in restaurants, cooking for Scout Camps and Deer Lodges, selling insurance and managing convenience stores. Following her and David's moving to Jefferson City, Missouri in 2000, she worked for a pre-school and then was Office Manager for Dr. Patricia Cronin. After moving to Greenville, North Carolina in 2013, Letha worked in 2015/2016 for Jarvis Pre-School in the Baby Room where she loved all the children as her own. Letha was a Charter Member and Queen of the River City Reds Red Hat Society Chapter in Jefferson City, Missouri and was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 2693 Ladies Auxiliary where she was a two time Past Madam President. She was tireless in her work for the Eagles Club at fundraisers and was always there to help anyone in need. She and David were very proud of the fact that they were Dual Presidents of Aerie 2693 in 2005-2006. They traveled to all District and State functions and several Grand Conventions and were active in every aspect of the great work of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. They met many wonderful friends along the Eagle Road and were thankful for them all. Letha was a member of the Chambersburg Christian Church of Chambersburg, Illinois and became a dual Member of Red Oak Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greenville, North Carolina in 2014. Following Cremation Rites, a Memorial Service will be held at Red Oak Christian Church followed by a Memorial Service at Chambersburg Christian Church in Chambersburg, Illinois at a later date. The Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary Aerie 2693 will hold a Memorial Service for their "Sister" in Jefferson City, Missouri on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10 a.m. at The Fraternal Order of Eagles Club. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Sip for Life Cancer Fundraiser, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2693 Ladies Auxiliary, Attn: Madame Secretary Leslie Franklin, 1303 West McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory, Greenville, North Carolina. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com