Edna Ellabertha (Shuttz) Calkins

Edna Ella Bertha Calkins
August 16, 1914-November 2, 2014
To all my grandchildren and children,
When I have gone, remember I'm with Jesus: Then
do not grieve because I've passed away. Life
holds so many trials and disappointments and will
you not weep because I did not stay. For the
Christian death is not sadness but gladness. When
you see my old shell, don't wish me back because
I'm with God. I've climbed the golden stairs.
Wipe the tears away from your eyes and rejoice.
Edna Ella Bertha Calkins, an amazing 100 years
old of Cascade, Idaho, passed away peacefully on
November 2, 2014, with her family by her side. A
celebration of her life will be held at the Grace
Bible Church in Cascade on Thursday, November 6,
2014 at 1:00pm. There will be a reception at the
church immediately following the service, and a
private graveside service for the family.
Edna was born on August 16, 1914 on a farm near
Bloomfield, Nebraska to Otto and Anna Schultz.
She grew up working hard on the farm with her
parents, and brother Elmer Hans Fritz and sister
Elnora Ella. She met the love of her life, Ralph
Leslie Calkins in Wisner, Nebraska. She wrote
that it was love at first sight. They were
married on March 16, 1936 in Gordon, Nebraska.
After having two of their children, Don and
Leola, they moved from Nebraska to California and
had Marilyn and Helen. After this they were off
to Nevada, then to Garden City, Idaho in 1957.
After a few years there, they finally settled in
Cascade, Idaho in 1961. Ralph was a logger and
Edna was a homemaker. Living in Cascade, they
shared many memories with their family. Several
family dinners, fishing at the lake at night,
catching cat fish two at a time. It was fun
digging in her flower beds for worms and she'd be
sure to let us know we better not break any of
her flowers! She always had beautiful flowers and
gardens. We will always remember grandma wearing
aprons and doing all the baking and cooking, her
cinnamon rolls, maple bars, and dinner rolls were
amazing.
After her husband Ralph's death, she started
working at the Mac's Café. Working there
throughout the years, she became very famous in
the little town of Cascade for her cinnamon
rolls. When she retired her apron from Mac's
Café, she moved to the Cascade Senior Retirement
Center in 1976 and was there for 35 years.
In 2011, she moved in with her grandson and his
wife, Scott and Becky Onaindia, and their 3
children Brittani, Tiffani & Michael. Our family
will be forever grateful to them for the love,
support, and caring environment they provided
grandma that allowed her to flourish until she
was 100 years old.
Edna is preceded in death by her husband Ralph,
her daughter Leola Bradford and her son Don
Calkins. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn
Onaindia and Helen Roethig (husband Jim),
daughter-in-law Marcella Calkins, 13
grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 14
great great grandchildren. Friends and family are
invited to the celebration of this strong and
wonderful lady's life. She will be in our hearts
forever.