Edna Mae Frey

Edna Mae Frey, nee Wilkinson, 88, of Swansea, IL, born Tuesday, May 2, 1933, in Edwardsville, IL, and passed away Monday, December 6, 2021 at Christian Hospital Northeast in Saint Louis, MO.

She was preceded in death by her:

• Parents: Harvey (Chub) and Helen Lucille Wilkinson
• Firstborn son: Mark Holst
• Husband: Joseph Frey
• Brother: Edward Wilkinson
• Sisters
  • Norma Fritsche
  • Mary Branch
• Brother: Charles Wilkinson

Edna is survived by her:

• Sisters
  • Betty Gardner
  • Ruth Lockhart
  • Myra Poss
• Brother: William Wilkinson
• Children
  • David (Elaine) Holst
  • Beverly (Michael) Ruger
  • Lois (Gregory) Morris
  • Douglas (Bethany) Holst
  • Donna (Daniel) Simon
  • Darla (Mark) Day
• Grandchildren
  • Patrick Ruger
  • Ann Owen
  • Jessica Caudill
  • Brett Morris
  • Micah Holst
  • Trent Morris
  • Michael Holst
  • Andrew Holst
  • Rachel Simon
  • Caleb Holst
  • Hannah Holst
  • Micah Holst
• Great-grandchildren
  • Kendall
  • Kacey Ruger
  • Aria Parent
  • Emma Caudill
  • William Caudill
  • Dean Caudill
• Many nieces and nephews and their families who loved her very much.

In addition to her love of being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Edna’s many talents included being a creative and successful seamstress, finding ice cream stores during road trips, singing along with the radio, stereo or on her own, as well as singing in various musical groups and performing solos for special events. She was an avid reader and a faithful pen pal.

Highlights for Edna included visiting with family and friends, whether by phone, or in person or sharing a meal at a restaurant. She loved going to Cracker Barrel the most, since they have chocolate covered pecans, as well as any other place that served ice cream! For Edna, planning and anticipating an event or visit was almost as fun as the actual visit itself.

When they were raising their families, Edna and her sisters would get together every year and bake Christmas cookies. Other times they would get together and play Bingo, although Edna said they mostly just visited, which is no surprise to those who know them!

Edna loved the Lord and when she was raising her family she taught Sunday School at Bethel Church in Granite City, IL. In her retirement years she married Joe and they participated in “Sidewalk Sunday School” with some of the kids who lived in their town, when they lived in Florida and Texas.

Some of Edna’s passions and hobbies included correspondence, singing, children’s outreach programs and veterans’ outreach. She also enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals team play baseball. When the weather permitted, she enjoyed sitting outside with her friends and watching the sun set as the clouds and sky changed colors.

In her younger years, she enjoyed sewing, dancing, and playing volleyball. The kids at the city pool where she worked in Collinsville, called her “The Volleyball Lady.”

Her favorite hymns were Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, In the Garden and The Old Rugged Cross.

Her favorite songs were Old Time Rock n Roll (she would always get up and dance when that came on), the theme song from The Sound of Music, and Spanish Eyes.

Edna was appreciative of any kindness shown to her no matter how big or small. She loved to laugh and was a fan of puns and silly jokes. She was always ready to smile. Edna always had some words of encouragement or something kind to say. She consistently walked out her love for the Lord in front of everyone and was a radiant example to all who were blessed to know her.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jews For Jesus online at jewsforjesus.org.

Visitation: Visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL.

Funeral: Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with Pastor Tim Naylor officiating.