Edna Marlene Markham

Edna Marlene Markham, a longtime resident of Lake of the Pines, California, died peacefully on February 6, 2025. She was 89 years old. Edna is best known for her lively spirit and drive, welcoming personality, storytelling, organizing golf trips, and attending local dance parties.

She was born in Fresno, California in 1936 to loving parents Edward and Maurine Wagner. After moving to Rio Linda, she loved to play piano and spent summers with her brother, Richard Wagner, raising rabbits and selling strawberries to earn money to buy a piano. Edna graduated from Grant Union

High School in 1953, where she served as a class officer.

After graduating from high school, Edna married classmate Ron Markham, and had three children, Katie, Patrick, and Cindy. Edna raised her children in San Jose, California where Edna became an accomplished artist and piano player. Her grandchildren adored her and enjoyed holiday puzzle-making with her. After her divorce in 1985, Edna moved to Lake of the Pines in Auburn, California.

Edna met the love of her life, Fred Warnecke, at Lake of the Pines in 1999. Known as “Fredna,” Edna and Fred took the lead at planning adventures, such as golf trips to Mexico, Nevada, and Palm Springs. Edna and Fred had a wonderful life as a couple, most recently attending multiple dance parties

during the December 2024 holiday season.

Edna was a self-taught artist, but she was most proud of her business prowess. After raising her kids, Edna returned to work at a well-known San Jose advertising and public relations firm. She began there as the bookkeeper/receptionist. Constant learning, hard work and dedication paid off when she worked her way into an ownership position and company CFO. Edna was proud of her many accomplishments in business.

Edna treasured her friendships, including long time San Jose friends and many Lake of the Pines residents. Until recently, she played bridge in two local groups, tap danced, and continued to play golf.

More than anything else, Edna will be remembered for her infectious laugh and love of life. She had a wonderful sense of humor, much like her mother. We could not have asked for a better mother and will miss her every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Maurine Wagner, brother Victor Wagner, and ex-husband Ron Markham. She is survived by Fred Warnicke, her brother Richard Wagner, her children Katie (Don) Gwinn, Patrick (Kay Ann) Markham, Cindy Kochamp, grandchildren Chris Wuolle, Ben(Orian)

Markham, Sara Markham and Jennifer Markham and her first great grandchild Isla Markham.

Family and friends are invited to a service in her honor, which will be held at the Lake of the Pines Family Center from 2 pm to 4 pm on March 13, 2025

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ASPCA- aspca.org