Edna Catherine Poole

Services for Edna C. Poole, 96, Lawrence, will be 10 am Friday, June 27, 2014, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

She was born March 23, 1918, in Colby, KS, and died June 25, 2014, in Lawrence, KS.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents John and Edith Bremenkamp, husband Rufus, brothers Raymond, Leonard, Eddie, Jerry, and sister Cecelia.

She was born and raised on a farm in Colby where she spent a happy childhood with her siblings thru the times of the great Dust Bowl. 

At the age of sixteen she entered nurses training at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, KS. After graduating as an RN Edna taught nursing. In 1942 she joined the army and was commissioned to 2^nd Lieutenant. She served for 2 ½ years in the Aleutian Islands, treating soldiers wounded in the Pacific. Edna was one of only seven nurses on the island. At the height of the war in 1944 she was sent to Europe to serve in the army’s 4^th Division under the command of Gen. Patton. She served on the front lines for the rest of the war.

After the war ended Edna returned to Colby where she met her husband Rufus, who was also a veteran of the Navy. Edna continued her nursing career in Colby. She worked with Dr. Jenson, Headed the intensive care unit of St. Thomas Hospital and was promoted to head supervisor.

After her husband’s death she moved to Lawrence, KS, and spent her retirement years enjoying friends, church, and women’s clubs.

Mrs. Poole’s last three years were joyously spent at Meadowlark Manor among good friends, caring staff, and a compassionate caregiver. After a lifetime of caring for others Meadowlark and her caregiver took care of her.

Edna leaves a son Kevin, daughter Reni, many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.