Edna Dragt Brower, was called home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 93 on May 18, 2021 at Sierra Village in Visalia, California. She was born on October 23, 1927 in Uitwellingerga, Friesland, The Netherlands. She was the oldest of ten children born to Geert and Jeltje Dragt. Edna immigrated to the United States at the age of 23 in 1950 with her entire family. The family went into the dairy business in the Escondido area. She had a variety of jobs that involved cleaning homes and taking care of families who just had a baby.
After a long courtship, Ed and Edna were married on November 17, 1954 at the Escondido Christian Reformed Church. Their marriage was blessed with eight children. They first lived in San Marcos, then Lakeside on a rented dairy, and then started a new dairy in Escondido. In 1991, they made the move to Exeter.
Although Edna had only an eighth grade education, she was instrumental in the children's education by helping them learn memory verses, spelling words, and flashcards. She was always busy with cooking, cleaning and laundry. Edna never had a driver's license so she was always home keeping the house running smoothly. Edna enjoyed knitting and crocheting in her spare time. She and Ed were blessed with 66 years of marriage together. They enjoyed camping trips with the children, going to Mount Hermon, as well as other trips together to Holland, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Russia.
Edna enjoyed seeing the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As the grandchildren were married, and moved to different parts of the country, she enjoyed getting pictures from them and adding them to the fridge and photo albums.
Edna is survived by her loving husband, Edward; her children, John and Rita Brower, Jeanette and Duane TeVelde, Linda and Duane Koonce, Margaret and Keith Haveman, Carol and Mike Hillebrecht, Ed and Jennifer Brower, Irene and Joel Hooyer, and Henry and Frances Brower; along with 30 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sisters, Nellie Bosman, and Grace and Cor Prins; and her brothers, Harold and Jeanette Dragt, Henry and Jane Dragt, and Earl and Polly Dragt; also sister-in-law, Rheta Dragt. She was preceded in death by her son Gerrit; her bothers, Pete and his wife Ann Dragt, William Dragt, Andrew Dragt; her sister Rena and her husband Pete de Jong; and brother-in-law, Frank Bosman.
A private graveside service will take place at Visalia Public Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held o n Friday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Reformed Church, 6400 W. Walnut Ave., Visalia.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to their favorite charity.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Brower family.
