Edna Ilene Dowell

May 5, 1926 - October 3, 2018

Edna Ilene Dowell, age 92, of Latham, passed away October 3, 2018, at her home. She was born May 5, 1926, in Enon, Missouri, a daughter of the late Thomas Everett and Rachel Ann (Woolley) Smith. On January 22, 1947, in Versailles, she was united in marriage to her surviving husband, Bennett Lee Dowell. Edna grew up in Hopewell area and graduated from Barnett High School. She attended college in Warrensburg where she received her teaching certificate. She taught a year at Routon School and a year at Hopewell School, both one room school houses. She became a full time homemaker working alongside her family on their farm. Edna attended Hopewell Union Church in Barnett. She was a member of the Friendly Neighbors Quilting Club. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, sewing, gardening, playing cards, bowling and cooking. In addition to her husband Bennett Lee, of seventy-one years, she is survived by her daughters, Wanda Wilde and husband Greg of Latham, Missouri and Belva Gerke and husband Jim of Gravois Mills, Missouri; her son, David Dowell and wife Christie of California, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Shanay Lepper and husband Jim, Tiffany Lueckenotte and husband Keith, Shawna Shewmaker and husband Brian, Barbara Whittle, Eric Gerke and wife Carolyn, Trisha Berve, Ben Gerke and wife Jessica and Cara Allen and husband Aaron; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson due in December; several nieces and nephews and many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, George Smith and Frank Smith and two infant sisters. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 5th, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles with Don Engelbrecht officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow at the Hopewell Cemetery in Barnett. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hopewell Cemetery Association, SSM Hospice or the California Nutrition Center. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.