Edna C. Hoynes, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Dec. 18, 2010 at the Shelby House in East Helena.
Edna was born May 13, 1925 in Nazary and Katherine Panasuk and spent her childhood years with her twelve siblings on a homestead northeast of Baineville, Montana.
At the age of 25, Edna met the love of her life, George Hoynes, on a blind date. They married in Bainville on May 28, 1950 and had one daughter, Gayle. They made their home in Malta for 58 years before moving to Helena in September 2008. Her beloved husband preceded her in death on June 4, 2010, and she was looking forward to being with him again.
Edna’s life was defined by her great love of family and teaching. After graduation from Bainville High School, she stated college courses at Western Montana College in Dillon and started her teaching career. She received her two-year degree from Western and then graduated from Northern Montana College with her teaching degree. She taught school in Rosedale, Lambert, Wisdom, Saco and Malta. She touched the lives of children for 40 years, and then retired so she could enjoy the things she loved to do and travel with her husband, George. They spent 23 winters in Yuma, Arizona.
Edna enjoyed quilting, square dancing, baking and cooking. She welcomed everyone who stopped by and insisted they have a meal. She loved collecting dolls, especially those her friends had made. Considering that she never had a doll until after she was married (and that one was given to her by her husband), there was a special reason for each doll she acquired, and she acquired many.
She is survived by her daughter Gayle and her husband Dan Gilmore of Helena; granddaughters Beth Gilmore of Helena and Kaely (Shawn) Helmbrecht of Billings; great-granddaughter Maicee Helmbrecht of Billings; step-grandchildren Robert Gilmore, Brett Gilmore and Brandie Singleton of Fort Worth, Tex.; brothers Sam Panasuk of Burien, Wash., Phil Panasuk of Minot, No. Dak., Willie Panasuk of Sidney, and Andy Panasuk of Georgetown Lake; and a sister, Ester Shippee. Her parents; two sisters, Leda Hunter and Eva Cottingham; and five brothers, Alex John, Paul, Peter and George Panasuk all preceded her in death.
Words cannot express enough gratitude for the kind and compassionate care Edna received at Shelby House, where she spent her last nine months and made many new friendships.
Edna was very active in the Malta community throughout her lifetime, including the Malta Lutheran Church, Order of Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma and Malta Women’s Club. A memorial service will be in June at the Malta Lutheran Church with inurnment at the Malta Cemetery. Dates and times will be announced when arrangements have been completed. Arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena.
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