Florence Henrietta Edwards, 86 of Effingham, KS passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, KS.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 19, 2016 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Effingham, KS with Fr. Benjamin Tremmel OSB as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Effingham, KS.  A Parish Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM Friday, March 18, 2016 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Effingham, KS, with family receiving friends until 8:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or Atchison County Rural Fire District #2 or Midland Hospice House, Topeka, KS, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.beckerdyer.com.

Florence was born on October 4, 1929 in Kelly, KS the daughter of Joseph and Freda (Niehues) Wessel.  She graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1947.  Florence was a homemaker.   She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and served on the Altar Society.  Florence was also a member of the Winsome Dozen Club.  She was treasurer for her class reunion delivered meals on wheels and was a board member at Effingham Senior Center.  Florence enjoyed camping, fishing and watching baseball

Florence married Earl Edwards Sr., on May 24, 1954 in Topeka, KS and renewed their vows on their fortieth anniversary at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on November 13, 1996.  Survivors include a daughter, Karen Edwards, Effingham, KS, three sons; Terry Edwards, Topeka, KS, Earl Edwards Jr., Effingham, KS and Doug Edwards, Lancaster, CA,  three brothers, Joe and Mary Wessel, Effingham, KS, Leander and Stella Wessel, Effingham, KS and Tom and Connie Wessel, Fort Worth, TX, four sister in laws, Elsie Wessel, Alice Wessel, Mona and Chuck Waitzig and Betty Allen, four grandsons, Justin, Aaron, Brian and Douglas Edwards.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Vincent and Jerry Wessel.