Edith Clara Remsing

In Loving Memory of Edith Clara (Odren) Remsing (February 7, 1921- March 4, 2021) When asked, Edith Remsing, who lived to be 100 years old, often ascribed her longevity to "not smoking, drinking or carousing around." Her family can confirm that truth, but her philosophy of fixing the things you can when you can and letting go of the things that you can't may have added a few years as well. Finally, suffering a massive stroke was something she knew she couldn't fix, and she let go quickly. Truly a lady of grace and intelligence, she educated not only her own family but also generations of her students on the arts of reading, writing, arithmetic, extraordinary patience and unconditional love. We all loved her wit, her beautiful white hair (she secretly liked it too) and even her infrequent but artfully placed zingers when we were out of line and needed a little straightening up. She loved solving crossword puzzles, word jumbles and reading, which she completed even the morning of her stroke. Eventually she tried her hand at writing and after she turned 95, self-published two books: an explication of love letters written to her by Ralph and a memoir of her life as a "prairie girl." The fourth of nine children, Edith was born in Dunn Center, North Dakota, where she met her high school sweetheart and husband, Ralph Remsing. They married in 1942 in Wallace, Idaho, moved to Spokane, Washington, and eventually settled in 1954 in Vancouver. After they both retired, they traveled across the US by motor home, trailer or car collecting rocks and wild flowers, visiting relatives and friends, exploring national parks and dancing, dancing, dancing! Ralph passed away in 2008, and Edith is survived by her three children: two daughters Karla Edwards (Tom) and Judy Dougal(David) and a son David Remsing; eight grandchildren: Brad Remsing; Meghan Dougal Black, Mara Dougal Hays, Maeve Dougal, Kim Dougal Altman; Frank Edwards, Ashley Edwards Parker, and Kristin Edwards; ten great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. She is also survived by her two youngest siblings Beryl Dinkins and Vernon Odren. Edith left this world the way she lived in it: like a lady, quietly and uncomplaining, with dignity and grace and, of course, completely put together. Even her hair looked great. No funeral or memorial service is planned at this time, but donations can be sent in her honor to an organization close to her heart, the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (pwsausa.org). A celebration of her life will be held this summer at a time to be announced.

Edith Clara Remsing

February 7, 1921 - March 4, 2021