Edna Arlene DuMond, age 89, of River Falls passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at Comforts of Homes. Edna was born August 24, 1932 to Albert and Sarah (Sabby) Hurtgen in Baldwin, WI. She graduated from Baldwin High School with the class of 1951. Edna married the love of her life, Gailen DuMond on October 19, 1951. Their union was blessed with five children.

Every family has one.  A pilot and a navigator.  Dad was always the pilot, but the type who liked to roam the cabin and socialize with the passengers.  We always knew who was truly flying the plane.  It was Mom.  It was Mom who got the five of us up in the morning, Mom who knew how to make the hurt feel a little less, and it was Mom, more than Dad, you didn’t want to anger.  Mom kept us all together, and when it was time, she let each of us go.

Then came the grandchildren, ten along with one little guy born an angel.  Before you knew it Thanksgivings got louder, Christmases got merrier, and at birthday parties you always heard, “Grandma’s here!”  And now the seventeen great-grandchildren know what it means to be part of Edna DuMond’s loving family.

Mom was raised and married into farm life.  She was a hard worker that would never stop, when given a choice anyone would pick her to be a part of their team. She later worked full time at Smead Manufacturing for 31 years, all the while raising five children and maintaining a household.  When Mom laughed, you were rewarded with her head tilted back and a twinkle in her eye.  And dancing, she and Dad loved to polka without restraint.

Now each of us must find a new balance in our lives.  A balance that does not include Mom.  It’s a substantial adjustment for which we’ll all have to find in our own way.  But the navigator is now sitting next to her pilot and onto a new adventure.  God Bless you Mom, and have a safe journey home.

Edna is survived by four of her children: Steven (Michele) DuMond, Jeff (Becki) DuMond, Jerry DuMond, and Bonnie Geary; grandchildren: Jenita (Nathan) Hall, Chance (Amy) DuMond, Steffani (Jon) Falardeaux, Justin (Monica) DuMond, Jade (Carri) DuMond, Jeremy (Lindsay) DuMond, Brittani (Ryan) Meyer, Nadine (Mat) Anderson, Anna DuMond, and Aidan DuMond; 17 great grandchildren; and her sister, Ina Mae. She was preceded in death by her husband Gailen “Chic” DuMond; daughter: Gail Hamilton; grandchild: Thomas Geary; her parents: Albert and Sarah Hurtgen; and Siblings: Margaret, Ervin, Richard, Ellen and Clinton.

A Funeral Service will be held at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in River Falls at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 4, 2021 with Pastor Tony Rambo officiating. A Visitation will be held one hour prior. Burial will take place at Beldenville Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the family of Edna for a Pierce County Fair Bench Memorial.

Services are Entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls, WI, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421