Edna Herfendal

Funeral services for Edna M. Herfendal will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church, in Albert Lea, MN with Rev. Shane Koepke officiating.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and again one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Edna passed away surrounded by her family on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Albert Lea.  She was 78 years old.

Edna Mae (Olson) was born on September 4, 1941 in Albert Lea to Elmer and Martha (Jameson) Olson.  She grew up in Albert Lea where she attended school.

Edna was united in marriage to John A. Herfendal, and to this union, seven children were born.  Edna called Albert Lea home her entire life.  Edna was the owner of Eastside Laundry for many years, and worked at the Union Center for over 20 years as the kitchen manager – many times recruiting her own family to help at big events. Edna spent much of her free time sewing, quilting, crafting, playing puzzles, bingo, and making lefsa for her family.  She would never pass up an opportunity to go out to eat, and Chinese was her favorite!  Edna enjoyed company; Her door was always open to visitors or guests.  Edna was caring, loving, a little stubborn, and always treated everyone fair and equal.  She never chose favorites.

She is preceded in death by both parents, Elmer and Martha Olson; husband, John Herfendal; daughter, Laura Attig; sons in-law, Ted Stewart and John Kuiper; grandson, Tony Herfendal; siblings, Larry (Karen) Olson, Kairen (Lester) Cummings, and Roger Olson; and a brother in-law, Morris Woods.

Those left to carry on her legacy include her children, Larry (Lisa) Herfendal, Annette (Owen) Besco, John (Stephanie) Herfendal, Gary (Jodi) Herfendal, Wendy Kuiper, and Darla Stewart; son in-law, Brett Attig; grandchildren, Jason (Michele) Herfendal, Adam (Melissa) Herfendal, Eric Besco and special friend, Sandy Massey, Ray (Kelly) Besco, Craig Besco, Jennifer (Craig) Torgerson, Sarah Herfendal and special friend, John Heise, Emily (Dan) Herfendal-Urschitz, Amy Woitas, Bobbie Attig and special friend, Jed Bair, Carmen Herfendal, Allison Stewart, and Nicole Stewart; great-grandchildren, Christine, Jaysa, Ashley, Wade, Logan, Talon, Grace, Kinsley, Amelia, Wyatt, Jazmyne, Abby, Makenzie, Mason, Alexis, and Layla; sister, Arletta Woods; sister in-law, Corrine Olson; as well as many loving extended relatives and friends.