Edna Karel Brewer was born March 31, 1919 in Spencer, Nebraska. She was the 2nd oldest of five children born to Louie and Flora [Bruns] Karel. In 1921 they made the journey from Nebraska to Gregory, SD with a team and wagon in March when the weather was so cold. She and her sister Evelyn both got double pneumonia. The doctor told her parents the girls wouldn't see sunup. A neighbor lady soaked a bag of oats, heated it, and placed it onto their bodies. Once they started to sweat they were able to break their fevers. Through diligent work and prayers they survived. They had no preventative program except goose grease and turpentine for colds.

They lived in a two story house with no running water, no electricity, and had to burn coal or cow chips during the depression. Lamps had to be lit during the day because of dust storms. Large swarms of grasshoppers moved in devastating crops. The county gave a bounty of $2.00 for a cream can full of grasshoppers.

They then moved to Colome, SD where Edna attended grade school. They moved to Dallas, SD where she attended and graduated from high school. High school was the first time for any church or social activity.

She met her husband John Thaddeus Brewer "TJ"at a Lawrence Welk performance in 1935. They were married October 23, 1938 in Dallas, SD.

They farmed for few years then purchased a hotel in Belvidere, SD. John and Edna had three boys, Leon, Johnny, and Leo and three girls, Jane, Judy, and Karen.

In 1965 they moved to Fort Pierre, SD where Edna worked at the Holiday Inn restaurant. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Pierre. In 1970 they moved to Rapid City. She was involved with over the road trucking and hauling mail with husband John and their sons.

Edna was Relief Society Secretary for her church for 20 years. She taught and worked genealogy. It was all about the family for her. She loved reunions, parties, playing cards, but most of all she loved little babies.

She has seen a lot of adversities in her lifetime and one of her sayings is if you feel you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot in it, and hang on, as there will be a lot more changes to see and endure.

Edna felt her guardian angel was looking out for her when she was young and on the farm as a horse knocked her down in a doorway of the barn, but had stepped over her without hurting her.

Edna passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 3, 2016 at the Kadoka Nursing Home in Kadoka, SD at the age of 97.

Survivors her is two sons: Leon [JoAnn] Brewer and John R. [Jessie] Brewer of Box Elder; three daughters: Jane [Floyd] Iwan of Midland, SD, Judy Kinsella of Rapid City, and Karen [Willis] Venekamp of Piedmont; 25 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband John T. Brewer, son Leo Brewer, great-granddaughter Samatha Kimball, parents Flora and Louie Karel, three sisters, and one brother.

Visitation will be from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Monday, December 12 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be 10:00 am Tuesday, December 13 at Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2822 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City.

Interment will be 1:30 pm at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.