Edith Mae Culver

Edith Mae Christian Culver

Edith Mae Christian Culver died, as she lived - with dignity and grace on Feb. 26, 2007 at the home of her daughter, Karmen Williams, in Helena, Montana. She will be brought home to Lusk for a celebration of her life and interment next to her husband, W. W. 'Buck' Culver, on March 5. A service in her honor will be held at Lusk's Congregational Church at 11 a.m. with burial immediately following. A reception will be held at the Congregational Church after the burial service. There will be a viewing on March 4 at Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home.

Edith was born to Nellie and James Christian at Kirtley, on Aug. 31, 1920. She attended school in Lusk and graduated from Lusk High School. She took her nurses training at Mercy Hospital in Denver, attaining her designation as a registered nurse in 1941.

She spent her professional career serving the community of Lusk as she worked at both the old Spencer Hospital and the Niobrara County Memorial Hospital from which she retired at the age of 70 in 1990. Her retirement was celebrated with a designation from the City of Lusk as "Edith Culver Day." Throughout her years of service, Edith taught classes in CPR and Lamaze outside of her regular nursing schedule. She was present at the birth of hundreds of babies born to Lusk families. Even in retirement, she was called upon occasionally to provide nursing services to members of the community.

Following her retirement, Edith enjoyed making beautiful quilts, cooking and baking (remember her "light as a feather" angel food cakes?) and spending time with her friends who were part of the "Bag Ladies." She always looked forward to time spent with her family and was a very big part of their biannual family reunions either in Lusk or at Mallo Camp. Edith fondly remembered her time camping, fishing, and rock hunting with her husband and children.

Edith married Buck Culver on Aug. 29, 1943. They had five children who, as her daughter Kay told her in her last days, "are very proud to be her kids." Her children are Bruce (Cheryl) Culver from Laramie, Kay (Gary) Seeman from Wolsey, South Dakota, Brad (Robie) Culver from Helena, Montana, Keith (Lana) Culver from Newcastle, and Karmen (Doug) Williams also from Helena. Buck preceded Edith in death in 1973.

Edith has 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren - each of whom received their annual Christmas ornaments even this year through her recent illness. She was always very happy to be able to share that little bit of herself with her grandchildren who are spread from Kentucky to Washington and from Texas to Montana. She is also survived by Marge Sanders, a niece she thought of as a sister who resides in Laramie.

In addition to her husband, Buck, Edith was preceded in death by her parents, a great grand daughter, Brooke Rose Culver, and her siblings including Blanche Sanders Schaefer, Evelyn Knori, and George, Frank, John, Bruce, and Charles Christian.

Edith will be deeply missed by her family and will be fondly remembered by all in the Lusk community who knew her by her direct but caring contribution to the medical community and by her beautiful yard and flowers that adorned Main Street.

Memorials in Edith's name may be contributed to the Niobrara County Library or the Lusk Senior Center.

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