Edna Victoria Dreger

Obituary

Edna Dreger, born March 3, 1933, passed away, on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the age of 93 years.

Edna is survived by four daughters: Linda Dreger (Ken), Bonnie Johnson McKinley (Rob), Judy Barnabe (Mike) and Shirley Berard (Renel); two sons: Norm (Shelley) and Ron (Bonnie); one sister Norma Scott and their families.

She was predeceased by her husband Harvey Dreger in 2014, three grandchildren Rheal Berard, Natalie Dal, Jenny Johnson, son-in-law Ralph Johnson, one sister Mae Lyle, two brothers Douglas Brown, and Alex Brown, a brother-in-law’s Bruce Lyle and Keith Scott, and sister-in-law Carol Brown.

Edna was born to Alma Brown (nee Anderson), and her husband Norman. The second of 5 children, Edna grew up on a farm along the Red River, north of the community of Aubigny.

Upon completing high school Edna enrolled at Manitoba Provincial Normal School to earn her teaching certificate. Edna taught for 4 years, 2 at King Edward Primary School in Winnipeg and 2 at the one room Armour School from 1953-1955, before marrying Harvey Dreger who became her life partner for the next 60 years.

In 1956 Edna gave birth to the 1st of 6 children she and Harvey would welcome over the next 9 years. Edna started the first kindergarten classes in Morris and Rosenort in 1970-71, later also Lowe Farm and taught for 28 years.

She earned a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education… all while teaching Kindergarten full-time, helping to run the farm, raising 6 kids and numerous volunteer activities. And she even drove the school bus.

In her not-so-spare time, some of Mom’s volunteer activities included: serving meals at the Red River Valley Lodge, and the Davidson Centre (Villa), served on the Morris Museum Board, delivered Meals on Wheels, taught Sunday School for 23 years, was a member of the Women’s Institute where she twice served as President, the United Church Women, and regularly delivered flowers from her garden to the Red River Valley Lodge and Morris hospital.

When Edna was 66, she retired from teaching. She and Harvey traveled extensively but always felt the farm on St Mary’s road was home. They were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren and Farm Grandma dearly loved spending time with each of them. Nothing lit up Mum’s face more than children.

Sadly, Harvey passed in 2014 at the age of 83 and he is deeply missed.

As she aged Mum faced challenges from dementia. Through these struggles she maintained her faith, beautiful smile, her ability to connect with and lift up the people around her with her sense of humor.

Mum and Dad were incredible role models with strong work habits but also led by example how to have fun. Commitment, respect for family… they were an amazing team. There were many raucous and fun sessions around the farm kitchen table and their retirement had them traveling for 16 years, right into the year Dad passed, including North America, Hawaii, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia and Africa. The only continent they didn’t visit was Antarctica.

Her last home was in the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris.

The funeral will be held Sunday, August 16, 2026 at the Morris United Church at 1:30 p.m.

Burial will take place prior to the funeral service at the Morris Cemetery on Sunday August 16, 2026 at 12:30pm.