Amy L. Edeker

Amy Louise (Habermann) Edeker passed away peacefully in the early evening hours on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Kennybrook Village in Grimes, Iowa. She was 99 years old. Amy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was born on April 27, 1926, at home on a farm between Allison and Clarksville, Iowa, to Carl and Bernice Habermann.

Amy was the fourth of six children, with two older step-sisters, an older step-brother, a younger sister who died shortly after birth, and a younger brother. She grew up on the sixty-acre family farm, nicknamed “The Sixty,” where she loved walking in the little woods, farm life, and family time. Life was simple and frugal during Amy’s early years in the Great Depression. She attended a one-room school through 8th grade, completed high school in Shell Rock, Iowa, and later attended Wartburg College. She earned her teaching certificate and taught at several rural schools before she was married.

Amy met Harold Edeker when, at the request of a school board member (Harold’s cousin), Harold played a suitor in Amy’s school play. She fell in love with Harold, a local farmer. They had a short courtship and engagement. They were married on February 26, 1950, in Allison, Iowa. Harold and Amy loved being together and were inseparable, celebrating 69 years together. Amy said after Harold passed, “He was always so happy to see me.”
Harold and Amy made their home initially near Clarksville, Iowa, where Harold worked on farms and as a carpenter in Waverly, Iowa. There, Amy and Harold started a family that included six children. Over the decades to follow, they made several moves as Harold became an experienced John Deere mechanic.

Amy used her skills as a dedicated mother, volunteer, and entrepreneur. Countless children were mentored by her through Brownies, Cub Scouts, and her work with handicapped children and church groups. She successfully tackled several direct sales programs like Stanley, Avon, Beeline, and Park Lane. Amy envisioned, launched, and operated an early preschool called Kiddie Kampus in the mid-1960s in Chariton, Iowa. Later in life, Amy became a writer, penning short articles like “Off to the Woods” and a self-published book called Our Sixty. She also enjoyed quilt-making, sewing keepsake quilts for the family. As an avid reader, perhaps one of her favorite roles was serving as the librarian for the Roland, Iowa library.

Amy and Harold were a family- and faith-focused couple. All the children learned the value of hard work from both parents, as well as respect and concern for others. Amy lived out her mother’s encouragement to “Go about doing good.” Amy and Harold loved Jesus Christ. Her faith showed through contentment, action, and service. They were active in several churches and were greatly loved by many in those congregations. Most importantly, they encouraged a relationship with Jesus in all their children.

Amy was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Edeker; her parents, Carl Habermann and Bernice (Davis Withers) Habermann; and her siblings, Lillian Schuler, Howard Withers, Dorothy Bliss, Erma Habermann, and William Habermann. She is survived by her children Carleen (John) Sipes, Darwin (Debbie) Edeker, Allan (Lori) Edeker, Wanda (Terence) Ventling, Randy (Dawn) Edeker, and Kristi (Eric) Jackson; seventeen grandchildren; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
________________________________________
Service Note:
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at New Hope Assembly of God Church at 4425 70th Street in Urbandale, Iowa, 50322. A reception of tea and cookies (including Amy’s recipes) will be hosted immediately after the service. A graveside service will be held for family at Sunny Hill Cemetery in Grimes, Iowa, following the funeral service and reception. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Amy’s name to Missions at New Hope Assembly of God Church at newhopeassembly.org.

Print