Memorial services for Edna F. Ring, 101, a resident of Harlingen for 46 years, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013 in the Texas Room at Golden Palms Retirement and Health Care Center, 2101 Treasure Hills Blvd., Harlingen, Texas.
Mrs. Ring passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the Golden Palms Retirement and Health Care Center in Harlingen. Edna Frances Dowland Fitzsimmons Ring was born February 13, 1911 in Modesto, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence R. Dowland and Algertie Bruner Dowland. She married her first husband, C. Ball Fitzsimmons, in 1937. They celebrated 25 years of marriage before Ball died in April 1963. Edna later married Harris L. Ring in 1967. Mr. Ring preceded her in death in May 1991.
Edna had a great love of learning and completed her education at Illinois State University in Normal, IL and MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, earning an Illinois Teaching Credential. She began her teaching career in Scottville, Illinois and was an Early Elementary grade school teacher with a reading specialty. Mrs. Ring was a past member of Wilber Chapter 358, Order of the Eastern Star of Jacksonville, IL. Edna attended First Christian Church of Woodson, IL where she was Sunday School Superintendent as well as a long-standing teacher. She was also a business partner with her husband, managing operations of two farms and acting as keeper of records.
Mrs. Ring and her second husband moved to Harlingen, Texas in 1967. She was an active member of Harlingen’s First Christian Church. Edna enjoyed traveling, knitting, dancing, reading, and bicycle riding. Mrs. Ring volunteered as librarian at Harlingen’s University Preparatory School for many years. Edna actively participated in bridge and Skip-bo groups, social activities, and water aerobics. She also served on various committees and volunteered as librarian at Golden Palms.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents, first husband C. Ball Fitzsimmons, second husband Harris L. Ring, sister Pearl Davenport, brother J. Harry Dowland, and infant daughter Sally Jo Fitzsimmons. She is survived by her two daughters, Tanene Mary Kurtenbach, Harlingen, TX, and Neta Rose Kistner, Joliet, IL. Edna is also survived by four grandchildren, Jonae Kurtenbach Woodruff, Portland, OR, Janelle Kurtenbach, Long Beach, CA, Lisa Kistner Anderson, Romeoville, IL and Brian Kistner, Mackinaw, IL. She is survived by six great-grandchildren, Rita and Kurt Woodruff, Danny, Derek, and Sydney Anderson, and Nick Kistner.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Brian O’Donnell and his wonderful staff at Family Practice Associates of Harlingen for 12 years of dedicated healthcare support. The family also thanks the residents of Golden Palms for their committed friendship and the Golden Palms staff for their respectful care. A special thank you to Nan Spear who continually went the “extra mile.”
Memorial gifts may be made to First Christian Church, 421 S. 13th Street, Harlingen, TX 78550.