Edna M. Solheim, 99, Minot, formerly of Velva, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Edna was born January 17, 1910 at Velva, North Dakota, the daughter of William and Bertha (Elsner) Kraus. She was raised and educated at Velva. During her younger years, she worked in Velva. Edna was united in marriage to Nels Solheim on November 24, 1936 at Minot.

Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm in North Prairie Township, north of Velva, where she assisted with the operation of the farmstead. They spent a number of their winters in Phoenix, AZ. Nels died January 2, 1976. Edna continued to live on the farm north of Velva until 2006, when she entered Trinity Homes.

Edna was a dedicated Norsk Hostfest attendee and volunteer throughout the years, where after 28 years of serving coffee, she was lovingly called, the "The Coffee Lady" . She had also donated monies to the Scandinavian Heritage Park, where an outdoor patio was constructed and named the Nels and Edna Solheim Patio. She had also donated funds to assist with the building of the Stave Church there.

Edna was a member of the Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. She was a lifetime member of American Legion Auxiliary of Velva, where she served as president for several years. She served as the State Treasurer for the Veterans of World War I Auxiliary for many years. She had also been a member of the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary, Moose Lodge, Elkettes and Sons of Norway.

Edna's loving family includes, several nephews, Marlin "Bob" Smestad, Minot, Lyle Hendrickson, Velva, Jerry Kraus, Bottineau and Jim Kraus, Surrey, along with a number of grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Joseph and Henry and sister, Elsie Hendrickson, nieces, Connie Hendrickson & Marlys Libke and nephew, Harvey Hendrickson.

Funeral service : Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Trinity Homes Chapel, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva or Trinity Nursing Home, Minot.