Thief River Falls – Edna Omlid, 92, Thief River Falls, formerly of Goodridge,  died peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2014 at Greenleaf Senior Living Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, with Rev. Robert Dahlen officiating. Interment will follow at the Ekelund Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, May 1 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the church.
Edna Sybil Race was born on Dec. 11, 1921 the daughter of Jerry and Tillie (Thompson) Race. In 1936, she graduated after eight years in rural school, from 1936-1940 attended high school in Goodridge, with one year in Thief River Falls graduating from Lincoln High School.
From 1940-1941 she attended Teachers Training in Thief River Falls and then taught school in District 56 from 1941-1943.
On Sept. 1, 1943, Edna entered into service with the United States Army at Daytona Beach, Fla. From 1943-1944, she served with the Women’s Auxiliary Army Core (WAAC) and from 1944-1945 served with the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).  Her job in the army was ordering supplies for military stations throughout the United States.
Edna was usually the tallest in her company, so she was chosen at parades to carry the flag.   Edna earned the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Liberation Ribbon, WAAC Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar and the Good Conduct Medal. Edna was honorably discharged on November 27, 1945 at Ft. Sheridan, Ill.
In 1945-1946, she taught half a year in District 57 for her mom; and from 1946-1947 taught in District 59.
On June 28, 1947, Edna was united in marriage to Otto Omlid at the Rosendahl Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge.  They farmed in Star Township, Pennington County, from 1947-1954, Edna taught in District 56; and from1954-1960 taught in the Goodridge School. In 1960-1961, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Moorhead State Teachers College, and from 1961-1965, she taught in Goodridge. In 1965-1966, she earned a master’s degree at the University of North Dakota; and from 1966-1967 continued teaching in Goodridge. 
In 1967, they sold the farm and moved to Roseau, where she and Otto owned and operated the Evergreen Motel. In 1969, they moved to Baker, Calif., where Edna worked as a school teacher until retiring in June 1985.
During their retirement, the couple lived in Henderson, Nev., for six months and the balance of the year in the Goodridge community. Otto died in 1990 and Edna spent the summer in Alaska with the Omlids. From 1990-1991, Loren and Ardis took Edna to Nevada; and for the next 15 years, Edna spent October through May in Nevada at the TownHouse Motel in Henderson, where she worked. From 2006-2010, Edna rented the second house on the family farm which is owned by her youngest brother, Loren. On Nov. 22, 2011, she moved to Greenleaf Senior Living in Thief River Falls.
Edna was a member of Ekelund Lutheran Church rural Goodridge.
Edna enjoyed reading, writing, gardening, going to the movies, traveling, playing the organ and playing bingo. She even wrote a book which was titled “The Rural School Era in Northwestern Minnesota.”
Survivors include brother, Loren (Ardis) Race; nieces and nephews, David Race, Cheryl (Dwayne) Presler, Karen Race, Tom (Lori) Race, Helen Grabowska, Larry (Pat) Grabowska, Don (Julie) Grabowska, Shirley (Steve) Holte, Mark (Jeannine) Grabowska, Craig (Twyla) Race, Neil (Debi) Race, Jennifer (Paul) Eck; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto on Jan. 23, 1990; parents; sister, Bernice Grabowska on June 11, 1999; brother, Ernest “Bud” Race on Nov. 23, 2012; brother-in-law Albert Grabowska; sister-in-law Junes Race; and nephew, Gerald Grabowska.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com. Memorial are suggested to the charity of your choice.
A00003B2014AP30

“