Edna Jane Wickersham, 47
Loving wife, mother and grandmother, Edna J. Wickersham passed peacefully in her sleep Oct. 29, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with family by her side. She was born Oct. 3, 1961, in Kindersley, Sasketchewan, to Patricia and Albert Layton.
Loved by all who knew her, Edna was an outdoor enthusiast with a love for animals of all shapes and sizes; she tried to live her life to the fullest. She fondly remembered hiking and camping in both the mountains of the West Coast and the deserts of the American Southwest, whitewater rafting numerous wild and scenic rivers, bungee jumping, horseback riding on the beaches of southern California, snorkeling along the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, ocean and river fishing, and other adventurous pursuits.
Working as a nuclear quality assurance specialist with the Stanford University-affiliated Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) of Palo Alto, Calif., until stricken with ALS, Edna's desire to enjoy her final days in a quieter environment brought her to the Northwest corner of the great state of Montana a few years ago. Here she found peace in the friendliness of neighbors, the antics of her pets, the sense of community, and the abundant wildlife that constantly kept her entertained.
A noted author of several reference guides and the long-awaited reference book on Randall Made knives, an avid reader, crossword and Sudoku puzzle solver, and consummate board-game player, Edna was always graciously competitive.
Edna is survived by husband, Sheldon Wickersham, of Kalispell; parents, Patricia and Albert Layton, and brothers, Richard and Charles Layton, of Kindersley, Saskatchewan; brother, Lawrence Layton, of Vancouver, British Columbia; sister, Doris Vanderkooi, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; son, Benjamin Moffatt, and grandson, Alexander, daughter, Rebecca Moffatt, and grandson, Memphis, of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory; and son, Matthew Moffatt, of Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Donations in Edna's name may be made to the Creston Volunteer Fire Department.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Mountain View Mennonite Church, 795 Mennonite Church Road, in Kalispell.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. To send condolences and sign Edna's guest book, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.