Edna Emma German, loving mother of Susan Buchholz and Diane Hagen, entered the gates of Heaven on March 12th at the age of 97. Born to John and Edna (Heritz) Follak, her life began on November 10, 1927. Edna attended Friedens Lutheran School and was a 1943 graduate of Kenosha High School. Summers during Edna’s childhood were spent picking berries on her grandfather’s farm in Michigan. She often shared family stories of those days well spent.
On June 7, 1969, Edna married Harold German. He preceded her in death on March 4, 2000. For many years Harold and Edna traveled the country in Harold’s eighteen-wheeler. Edna never drove but was a dedicated passenger keeping Harold company as they enjoyed the marvelous scenery throughout the USA.
Edna worked at many jobs during her lifetime but her most treasured position was being a teacher’s aide at Thorp (WI) Elementary, Middle and High School where she resided for many years. She shared many humorous stories stemming from her interaction with her students. She returned to Kenosha in 2003 and volunteered, until the age of 89, as a reading tutor at Strange Elementary School. She had a natural ability to work with children and felt great pride when she succeeded in improving the reading skills of her students. Edna loved to read and could lose herself in a book for hours on end. We hope there are books in Heaven, so she doesn’t get bored. Edna had many other interests: growing flowers, watching movies and spending time with her two daughters. Edna and her daughters enjoyed a close relationship that will be truly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Dorothy (Norman) Buchholz, Lorraine (Robert) Huntoon, Irene (James) Reid and her brother Albert (Virginia) Follak. She is survived by her daughters Susan and Diane (David Kangas), and Janis Buchholz an especially close niece as well as many other nieces and nephews and her brother-in-law James Reid.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at 2 P.M. at New Life Lutheran Church, Central (5927 37th Ave, Kenosha, WI). Visitation will be held at church at 1 P.M. until the time of service.
Edna’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to her wonderful caregivers at Harvest Home and to the staff of St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to New Life Lutheran Church, Kenosha.
