Edith Irene Fennell, 95 of Sterling, passed away Mon, June 9, 2014 in Sterling. Visitation will be Mon, June 16, 2014 from 10am until 6pm with family receiving friends from 4pm until 6pm at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral service Tues., June 17 at 10:30 am at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Michelle Witherspoon officiating, interment Riverside Cemetery.

Edith was born Sept. 16, 1918 in Burdett, CO to James and Pauline Vrba Janda. She was a longtime area resident living in the Kelly area, she moved to Wadena, Iowa during the Great Depression. She returned to Sterling. Edith married Raymond L. Fennell, Nov. 18, 1933 in Sterling. They later settled at the farm in the early 1940's, where they raised cattle, chickens, turkeys and raised wheat and sun millet. She loved writing poetry and singing.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Edith is survived by son Arden Fennell and Sonja Holden of Sterling; sister Genieve Ann Byars of Carmichael, CA; grandson Dave Mantelli and wife june of Scott Valley, CA; great grandson Sam Mantelli of Scott Valley, CA; step great granddaughter Sonya Fennell of Sterling and step great grandson Raven Fennell of Sterling, with numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by parents, husband in 1988, daughter Sharon Rae, brothers Bill Janda, Herman Janda, sisters Alice, Pauline, Rose, Jeanie and Helen, half sisters Frances, Lily and Emily, and half brother Jimmy.

Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Elevator Fund.