Edna Haase of rural Todd County, SD passed away on September 22, 2026. She was 98. Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m., on September 26, 2026, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine. The burial followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine. She passed away on September 22, 2026, in Gregory, SD. Edna Christina Littau, daughter of Benjamin and Katherina (Burr) Littau, entered this world on May 10, 1928, at the family farm, southeast of Carter, SD. She was the sixth child of 10 brothers and sisters. Edna attended grade school at New Liberty School, south of Carter, SD up until the eighth grade. She was confirmed in Jerusalem Lutheran Church, also south of Carter. Edna went to work for her Uncle John and Aunt Christina (Burr) Ziesler for a year and worked for Uncle Hank and Aunt Lena (Littau) Vogt. Edna’s brother-in-law Ernest Lenser introduced her to his nephew Melvin Haase. Melvin asked her for a date, and they attended a dance in Valentine. Two years later Melvin married his “Sweetheart” on June 24, 1948, at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, they were the last couple to be married in that church. The couple moved to a rented ranch in southern Todd County and in 1952 they purchased the ranch from Roscoe Rice. Edna was a very hard worker. Her and Melvin worked side by side till his death June 26, 1993, when his heart quit beating. They had just celebrated their 45th anniversary on June 24. Melvin and Edna rarely left the farm, except to take a load of cattle or hogs to Sioux City or Sioux Falls. Later years they enjoyed an occasionally trip to the Casino at Wagner, S.D. Edna was a wonderful cook. She made countless loaves of bread. The best cinnamon rolls and chocolate cake. Worked alongside the men in the hay field running a slide stacker and dump rake in the early years, later raking windrows together. Melvin quoted in an article in the Winner Advocate Agriculture Tribute to ranch families”Edna always worked right alongside the men.” He acknowledged that sometimes, “She could do better than he could.” Also milked cows, farrowed sows, cultivated corn on an open tractor and raised three boys. Although there were years of drought and low cattle and grain prices, the family operation prevailed. Edna is survived by sons Roscoe (Katrina), Allen (Zenda), and Lyle (Betty) all of rural Todd County, SD; grandchildren, Dustin (Daile) Draya and Draven, Carissa (Mike) Lee, Morgan, Mason, Cooper and Camron, Nick (Kelsey) Brayten and Holden, Trent (Callie) Chesney, Blair, and Parklyn, Carter (Janet) Jane, Dean (Chesney) Levi. Katie (Joshua) Hansen, Naomi, Phillip (Karlie) Scarlett, Eric (Haleigh) Oakleigh and Harper, and Dylan; brother, Ted (Phyllis) of Winner, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Edna is preceded in death by her husband Melvin; parents, Benjamin and Katherina Littau; sisters, Lou Ella Littau, Emma Lenser (Ernest), Freda Legge (Harry), Leona Mathis (Dick), and Arlene Post (Frank); brothers, Fred (Dorothy), Reuben (Betty), John B. (Leona). Visitors were always welcomed in Edna Haase’s home, and when they left, she always gave them a warm goodbye, “Get home good.” Today, we know she has been welcomed into God’s house and we too say, with sorrow yet happiness for her destination in Heaven, “Edna, get home good.” Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with service arrangements
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