Edith Ward, 85, formerly of Owatonna, died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea.

She was born in Blooming Prairie to Edward and Agnes Haderman. She attended school in Owatonna and graduated in 1942. Edith graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1945. She worked 34 years at Owatonna Hospital. Her nursing career also included working at the Faribault Hospital and with the Red Cross Bloodmobile. During her 20 years with the Red Cross she received a pin for giving three gallons of blood. Edith was very proud of her profession.

She married Clifford Ward on Aug. 10, 1946, and they celebrated 61 years together. Cliff preceded her in death on Oct. 19, 2007. In 1987, they sold their home in Owatonna and bought a motorhome to go &8220;full-timing,&8221; traveling to many states and spending winters in Arizona and Texas. After 10 years traveling, they bought a home in Mountain Home, Ark. September 2006 they moved to Knutson Place Apartments and St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home.

Edie had many interests including nature, music, dancing, recipes, and collecting articles pertaining to the medical field. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Owatonna. While in Mountain Home they were members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Edith is survived by: her sister, Dorothy Caspari of Mountain Home, Ark., and her sons, Dan (Maurine) and Gary; brother-in-law, Ingval Hove, Blooming Prairie; Ingval&8217;s daughter, Beverly (Roger) Wessels of Albert Lea, and children, Debbie, David, Jay and Christopher; Edith&8217;s brother&8217;s children, Chuck, Stevevn, Duane, Lois and Jimmy of Indianapolis, Ind.; nephew John (Shirley) Sylvester of St. Peter; and many other nieces and nephews through marriage with Cliff.

Preceding her in death was husband, Clifford; brother, Richard; sister, Lorraine; and brother-in-law, Herbert Caspari.

Edith donated her body to Mayo Foundation for research and study.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home Chapel, 901 Luther Place, Albert Lea. Memorials are preferred to the donor&8217;s choice. Interment of cremated remains will takea place at a later date.

Edith was a loving, giving lady and she will be missed by all who knew her.