Lenore E. “Lu” Edwards

She was born Oct. 17, 1927, in Iron Mountain, daughter of the late William and Elaine (Erickson) Kleiman. Lu graduated from Kingsford High School in 1945 and was a lifelong resident of the area.

She married her high school sweetheart, Wesley “Tom” Edwards in 1947 and they began their life together on their small farm in Aurora. They soon produced a lively family of seven children.

Lu’s love for Jesus Christ strengthened and directed her life as a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Love and service for family and friends was her priority and greatly enriched her life as well as those she served.

Lu was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingsford. She had a love for all things beautiful, especially music and art, which she enjoyed as a pianist — especially in her earlier years — and as an artist in her later years. She also enjoyed producing countless, colorful quilts.

Lu is survived by seven children, Dale (Rose) Edwards of Breitung Township, Jean (Joe) Panek of Aurora, Donn (Kathy) Edwards of Kingsford, Jody Edwards of Mesa, Ariz., Dan (Sue) Edwards of Iron Mountain, Julie (Bruce) Ekstrand of Mesa and Jeff (Miriam) Edwards of Breitung Township; two sisters, Marjorie France and Katherine (Ray) Clemo; one sister-in-law, Kristen Kleiman; 21 grandchildren, Heather (Dan) Brown, Tanya (Ross) Wiitanen, Wade (Kristen) Edwards, Brandon (Melissa) Trepanier, Jacquelyn (Mike) Halley, Mike (Lorrie) Vross, Matt Vross, Kary Edwards, Josh (Samantha) Edwards, Kelly (Aaron) Harchek, Jacquelyn (Anthony) D’Sousa, Robert Edwards, Allison Edwards, Emily Ekstrand, Jeff Ekstrand, Abigail Ekstrand, Tom Ekstrand, Jessica (Dave) Muench, J.D. (Sarah) Edwards, Elise (Tony) Cavalieri, and Rebecca (Shawn) Hill; 30 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Lu was preceded in death by her husband, Tom in 2018; a grandson, Jacob D. Edwards; three brothers, Harry, Gordon and Terry Kleiman; sisters-in-law, Betty Kleiman and Bertie Lou Steger; and brothers-in-law, Peter France and Bob Steger.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford.

A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in the Homestead-Aurora Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tom and Lu Edwards Vocational Scholarship or to the First Presbyterian Church Pavilion Fund.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Lenore “Lu” Edwards online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.