Obituary for Edna Paulena Monk
In Loving Memory of Edna Paulena Monk
Deaconess with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s General Hospital, Kitchener on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 in her 107th year.
Edna was born July 4th, 1912 and was the beloved daughter of the late Joseph and Hannah (Stadtlander) Monk. Edna was the youngest of 9 children and was predeceased by 6 brothers and 2 sisters, Bert, Otto, Amelia, Reuben “RJ”, Laura, Alvin, Victor and Dan. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, her church family at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Kitchener, and by her extended family and friends.
Edna devoted her life in service to the Lutheran Church. In September 1937, she crossed the border to study for two years at the Lutheran Deaconess Training School in Baltimore, Maryland. She was invested with the garb in 1938 and consecrated in June 1942. In November 1944 she became a Naturalized citizen of the United States. Her first assignment was for the Lutheran Home for the Aged in Clinton, N.Y. This was followed by sixteen years of service for churches throughout the northeastern USA and Kitchener, Ontario.
In 1956 Edna personally chose to withdraw from the diaconate, but continued her service in the church with the Department of Evangelism of the Lutheran Church in America until 1973 and then with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Manhattan until 1975. She retired and moved back to Hanover, Ontario where she was active in the program at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and participated in the celebration of their 125th Anniversary.
In 2001 Edna moved to Kitchener and transferred to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Kitchener in 2002 and participated in many programs including Loaves and Fishes, E.L.W., Reader for World Day of Prayer and Praise Offering Services, Prayer Group and the Leprosy Mission. Edna was very grateful for the love and help from her friends at St. Matthews and the opportunity to serve in those capacities.
Edna joyfully celebrated her birthday every year on the Fourth of July and received birthday wishes from family and friends in Canada, USA and worldwide, most recently on her 106th birthday in July 2018. Everyone who knew and loved Edna was truly blessed.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Edna’s life will be held at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St., Kitchener, Ontario on Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 2:00pm with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Reception to follow at St. Matthews Church. Cremation has taken place. Interment in the Hanover Cemetery to follow at a later date.
Edna’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to her caregivers, friends and church family for looking after Edna over the last number of years. Special thanks to Mrs. Donna Girodat, Pastor Sebastian Meadows-Helmer and the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., for all of their help and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Golden Hours Broadcast of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario would be greatly appreciated and can be arranged with the church or through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0
www.gordonmonkfuneralhome.com
“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121: 7-8
Deaconess with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s General Hospital, Kitchener on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 in her 107th year.
Edna was born July 4th, 1912 and was the beloved daughter of the late Joseph and Hannah (Stadtlander) Monk. Edna was the youngest of 9 children and was predeceased by 6 brothers and 2 sisters, Bert, Otto, Amelia, Reuben “RJ”, Laura, Alvin, Victor and Dan. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, her church family at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Kitchener, and by her extended family and friends.
Edna devoted her life in service to the Lutheran Church. In September 1937, she crossed the border to study for two years at the Lutheran Deaconess Training School in Baltimore, Maryland. She was invested with the garb in 1938 and consecrated in June 1942. In November 1944 she became a Naturalized citizen of the United States. Her first assignment was for the Lutheran Home for the Aged in Clinton, N.Y. This was followed by sixteen years of service for churches throughout the northeastern USA and Kitchener, Ontario.
In 1956 Edna personally chose to withdraw from the diaconate, but continued her service in the church with the Department of Evangelism of the Lutheran Church in America until 1973 and then with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Manhattan until 1975. She retired and moved back to Hanover, Ontario where she was active in the program at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and participated in the celebration of their 125th Anniversary.
In 2001 Edna moved to Kitchener and transferred to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Kitchener in 2002 and participated in many programs including Loaves and Fishes, E.L.W., Reader for World Day of Prayer and Praise Offering Services, Prayer Group and the Leprosy Mission. Edna was very grateful for the love and help from her friends at St. Matthews and the opportunity to serve in those capacities.
Edna joyfully celebrated her birthday every year on the Fourth of July and received birthday wishes from family and friends in Canada, USA and worldwide, most recently on her 106th birthday in July 2018. Everyone who knew and loved Edna was truly blessed.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Edna’s life will be held at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St., Kitchener, Ontario on Saturday, February 2nd 2019 at 2:00pm with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Reception to follow at St. Matthews Church. Cremation has taken place. Interment in the Hanover Cemetery to follow at a later date.
Edna’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to her caregivers, friends and church family for looking after Edna over the last number of years. Special thanks to Mrs. Donna Girodat, Pastor Sebastian Meadows-Helmer and the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., for all of their help and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Golden Hours Broadcast of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario would be greatly appreciated and can be arranged with the church or through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0
www.gordonmonkfuneralhome.com
“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121: 7-8