Edna Katherine Lechtenberg

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mother, Edna Katherine (Hackman) Lechtenberg (90) of Postville, Iowa, a devoted and extraordinary mother, and the pillar of our family, who went to be with the Lord peacefully at UnityPoint Hospice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on December 6, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Edna was born on September 29, 1934 in St. Lucas, Iowa to William and Clara (Lusson) Hackman. She grew up on the family farm south of St. Lucas where she enjoyed learning how to bake and cook from her mother. She attended St. Luke’s High School and was an active young lady who enjoyed babysitting and being involved in cheerleading. She graduated from St. Luke’s High School in 1952.

In 1953, Edna met the love of her life, James (Jim) Lechtenberg, at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville, Iowa, where they danced the night away. Their love for each other blossomed into marriage on May 17, 1954. From this union, six children were born. They farmed on several rented farms in the Ossian, Iowa area until 1967, when the bought the Harry and Marie Davis farm in rural Postville, Iowa. They lived there until Jim’s passing in 2017, at which point they had been married 62 years.

Edna’s life was her Catholic faith, her family, and farming. She was an active member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, where she served as an Eucharistic minister and sacristan. She held various positions with the Post Franklin Study Club and the Rosary Society.

Edna was a classy, extraordinary woman, who will forever be remembered for her remarkable kindness, generosity, and persistent smile. She loved going on shopping trips with her daughters, and had the time of her life when they flew her out to Dallas, Texas for her 87th birthday. Edna quickly became a fan of online shopping, especially Talbots (aka “Talbots Queen”), which necessitated the need for more hangers and storage bins. Her other favorite activities were watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Fox News, EWTN (Catholic television network), and making amazing ham balls and famous chocolate chip cookies.

Edna additionally enjoyed raising chickens, picking raspberries and apples on the farm, and gardening. She loved flowers, rose bushes, dancing, Pioneer Seed Corn sales trips, playing cards with the neighbors’ card club and Ossian Card Club, and Euchre, whenever she could fit it into her busy life. Her lifetime highlight was countless hours spent watching her children and grandchildren at their sporting events, no matter the weather.

Edna never missed an invite to a family gathering, especially those of her children and grandchildren. She was the life of the party, and we continue to hear her laughter in our hearts today. We have been blessed with her in our lives with her good health. At her 90th birthday celebration this September, we asked her what it takes to get to 90 years old. Her response was “value your health.” She would not want us to weep for her, but to mourn our loss. Edna is now reunited with Jim and their son, Joseph, in their heavenly oasis.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Lechtenberg (2017); son, Joseph Lechtenberg (1991); parents, William and Clara (Lusson) Hackman; brother, Alvin Hackman; son-in-law, Kurt Hockaday; nephew, Donnie Hackman; nephew-in-law, Pete Roth; parents-in-law, Joseph and Caroline (Schissel) Lechtenberg; and brothers-in-law, Mark Lechtenberg, Duane Lechtenberg, Bill Canaday, Clark Gerleman and nephew-in-law, Warren Gerleman.

Edna is survived by her wonderful family, whom she deeply adored. She leaves behind five children, 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren on the way, her sisters-in-law, Bernice Hackman, Mary Lechtenberg, Jeanne Lechtenberg, Kay Canaday, Joyce Gerleman, Mary Lou (Joe) Jenks, and many nieces and nephews.

Children: Ronald Lechtenberg (Jackie); Gary Lechtenberg (Therese); Diane Lechtenberg; Lisa Radloff (Nick); and Nancy Hockaday Kasper (Rob).

Grandchildren: Jennifer Rose (Jon); Nick Lechtenberg (Carlyn); Scott Lechtenberg (Tasha); Eric Lechtenberg (Heather); Jason Lechtenberg (Cindy); Kiley Stineman (Nick); Dana Burns (Jeramey); Shauna Lange (Matt); Leah Imoehl (Dillon); Josh Lechtenberg (Brittany); Marissa Carlson (Tyler); Jackson Radloff (Mikayla); Brandt Radloff (girlfriend Payton); Aidan Kasper; Tyler Hockaday; and Trey Hockaday.

Great-Grandchildren: Mabel, Jack, Ruby Edna, Cashton, Charlie, Stirn, Teff, Ward, Aja, Christian, Leon, Kaesen, Ellie, Garrett, Lyla, Grant, Bentley, Warren, Willem, Bryce, Paige, Brady, Daisy, Shraden, Brecken, Camden, Payton, Jacob, and Crue.

A Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church 135 W Willams Street in Postville, Iowa. There will also be a visitation from 9:30 am until mass time at the church on Wednesday.

Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church 135 W Willams Street in Postville, Iowa with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the celebrant.

Interment will follow at Postville Cemetery in Postville, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville, Iowa in Edna’s memory.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.