Edna Mary Critchfield, 99, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2022. A longtime Hill City resident, at the time of her death she was living at Dawson Place in Hill City, where she loved the staff and enjoyed sharing time with her many friends. She was born June 20, 1923, in Hays, Kansas, one of 12 children born to Mike and Emma (Leikam) Lang. Edna was a woman of faith, born and raised in a family with a rich German Catholic heritage.
After high school Edna worked at Wiesner’s Department Store in Hays, and proudly as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. In her free time, she and her sister sang at many events and on the radio. In addition to singing, Edna was also known as a great dancer who won many dancing contests in her youth. She married Harold Critchfield January 11,1947, in Hays. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before Harold’s death in 2009. Three children were born to this union: Stephen, Junell and Dennis. While being a homemaker and caring for her children, Edna also helped to run the family paint store for many years. One of the hobbies she particularly enjoyed was collecting dolls. Edna was an excellent cook, especially known for her delicious cinnamon rolls and homemade bread.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents; ten siblings; and two grandchildren, Tyler and Brian Critchfield. Survivors left to cherish her memory are her sister Irma Silkman of Wichita; her daughter Junell Owen and husband Mike of Hill City; two sons: Dennis Critchfield of Hill City, and Stephen Critchfield and wife Pam of Hollister, Missouri; two grandsons: Craig and wife Renee Owen of Great Bend and Tucker Critchfield of Chicago, Illinois; and a great grandson Justin Owen of Wichita.
A Celebration of Life Service for Edna will be held at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in WaKeeney with date and time information announced later.