Edith Magedanz

Edith Magedanz, age 94, of Milbank  passed away on May 27, 2020, at home, surrounded by family following a severe stroke.

Due to the limitations on public gatherings at this time, a private funeral ceremony will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Milbank on Friday, June 12, at 2:00 p.m. Ede’s graveside service will be open to the public immediately following the funeral service at Milbank City Cemetery, at 2:45 p.m. Friends are invited to join the funeral procession, waiting along Flynn Drive or the Milbank Hospital parking lot. We ask that attendees practice social distancing, and we recommend wearing a mask to protect others. Attendees may also choose to remain in his or her car during the graveside ceremony. The funeral and graveside services will be live-streamed and recorded and will be viewable on our website, www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

Edith (Ede) Georgine Morse was born on March 24, 1926, in Traverse County, Browns Valley, Minnesota. She was the fourth of six children born to Stephen (Steve) Peter Morse and Gertrude Mathilda (Nichols) Morse.  Ede was born at home, in Browns Valley.  Her mother died in 1933 when Ede was 7 years old following a series of strokes. This was a very difficult time as the entire country was caught in the Depression years.

In 1937, her father married Iva Kirkwood Morse, a native Virginian. Iva was a wonderful, loving and caring step-mother for the family. Ede attended school and graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1944. She was able to further her education through the U. S. Army Cadet Nurse Program.

The Bolton Act of 1943 established the U.S. Army Cadet Nurse Program started by President Franklin Roosevelt because of nurse shortages during World War II.  Ede was always very grateful for this program which allowed her to receive an education as a Registered Nurse. The Bartron Hospital School of Nursing in Watertown, SD was one of the hospitals that utilized the Bolton Act. Ede enrolled in this program in June of 1945.  Ede’s training included courses at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD and training at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.  She graduated from the Bartron Hospital School of Nursing in June of 1948.  Following graduation, she worked a short time at the Tekawitha Hospital in Sisseton, SD.

On November 11, 1948, Ede was united in marriage to Arthur Lyle Magedanz at the Methodist Church in Browns Valley, Minnesota.  Together they worked for a short time in Mitchell and Watertown, SD.  In the spring of 1950 they moved to a farm near Revillo, SD which became their family farm.  To this union four children were born:  Jeanne, Stephen, Marilyn and Julie.  Ede worked side by side with Art on the farm while also maintaining her 50 year nursing career.  She worked as an RN at the Deuel County Memorial Hospital and at St. Bernard’s Providence Hospital in Milbank, SD.  During her nursing career in Milbank, Ede worked in various supervisory positions including as Director of Nurses.

Ede enjoyed the opportunity to help nursing associates in her community and beyond. She served on the State Health Advisory Board and on the District 10 State Health Systems Agency.  She was a member of the American Red Cross and the American Association of Operating Room Nurses.

Art and Ede retired from farming and moved to Milbank, SD in 1990, where they were active members of Christ Episcopal Church. Ede held several elected positions at her church and was a member of the St. Agnes Guild.  She was a member of the Grant County Half Century Homemakers Extension Club, Milbank Study Club and was an avid Bridge player. She also volunteered with the Hospital Auxiliary in retirement.

Ede loved holidays, decorating for every occasion, and hosting friends and family in her home. She especially loved Christmas and always made Christmas special for her family.  She was concerned with the affairs of her community and the nation.  Ede was just as cheerful working in the fields driving tractor, hauling grain or doing chores as she was comforting a sick child or easing the pain of a hospital patient. She loved spending time with her grandchildren as well interacting in many ways with family, friends and neighbors.

Edith passed away on May 27, 2020, at home surrounded by family following a severe stroke. Grateful for sharing her life are her children: Jeanne (Iver) Iverson, Steve (Sue) Magedanz, Marilyn (Dr. Hollis) Nipe, Julie ( Bob) Schoephoerster; nine grandchildren: Jennifer Johnson, Emily Ertel, Erik Iverson, Sandy Peterson, Amy Hanson, Erin Thom, Stacy Wittnebel, Andrea and Mark Schoephoerster; 23 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Donna Magedanz, Delaine Magedanz, and Muriel West; many nieces; nephews; and her dear life-long friend, Dodie Roark.

Edith was preceded in death in 2016 by her husband, Art, of 67 years; her parents: Steve and Gertrude Morse; her step-mother, Iva Morse; her siblings and spouses: David and Gloria Morse, Donald and Bonnie Morse, Hazel and Gordon Ingemunson, Gertrude and Donald Kruger, Dayton and Ardys Morse; step-brother, Frank Kirkwood; step-sisters: Hazel Grice and Iva Vosberg;  in-laws:  Hugo and Angie Magedanz, Robert and Dorothy Magedanz, Charles Magedanz, Orrin and Dellas Magedanz, Dwight Magedanz and Ben West.

In the absence of the ability to physically gather at this time, the family kindly requests sharing of stories about the ways you knew Ede as a friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member. If you wish to share any stories or memories please include them with your cards or send directly to: edestories520@gmail.com or your expressions of sympathy can be left on the condolences page.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given in Ede’s name. Memorial gifts will be used to establish a nursing scholarship for future registered nurses. Memorial donations may be mailed to Mundwiler Funeral Home, c/o Edith Magedanz Memorial, P.O. Box 511, Milbank, SD 57252.