Edna King

Edna M. King (Dalzell), 91, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on July 21, 2023 at French Manor South with her family by her side. Edna was born on the corner of Wayne and Spruce in downtown TC, at a mere 3 pounds to the late Harold Fay and Grace Christine (Mann) Dalzell. She grew up on her family farm in Leelanau County where her father died when she was 15. Edna worked cleaning cottages at Perrins Landing to help her mother and two brothers save the farm. A battle they ultimately lost. At 18, she left TC to seek better employment. She successfully passed the test to enter telegraph operator school and upon completion went to work for Western Union. She learned to readily translate the little holes in the tape to type out the messages. She started in the Battle Creek office and went on to work in Biloxi, MS; Denver, Co; Spokane, WA; and Fort Worth, TX. While out west, she had to become proficient in Morse code because that was how the remote areas communicated. In 1961, Edna returned to TC and continued her employment with Western Union Telegraph until the State St. office closed in early 1970. Edna then served over 25 years in the Grand Traverse County Clerk’s office where she processed birth and death records and often substituted as a court recorder. After retiring she spent her remaining years traveling, creating a park-like setting in her backyard, playing games with family and friends, and relaxing on the beach. Edna always had a meal ready to warm up or a dessert to share whenever family or friends came by. She had a plethora of family-friendly jokes, a great sense of humor and a quick wit. Edna was a pioneer as an independent woman at a time when most women didn’t work outside the home. She taught her four children to be self-reliant, resilient, honest, resourceful and generous. For many years, starting in the late 1960’s, she and her church friends organized monthly deliveries of clothing and food to residents of Peshawbestown. Edna was preceded in death by her son David and daughter Janet. She is survived by her daughters Christine (Patrick) Stegman and Gena (George) Baujan and six grandchildren: Christopher and Katherine Stegman and Parker, Mason, Chedra and Tanner King. A private family graveside service was held at Solon Township Cemetery per her request. Edna’s great-grandfather, Fredrick Tager, buried his wife, Sarah (Lite) Tager, in 1900 on the Tager farm. When he died in 1906, he willed the portion of the farm that is now the Solon Cemetery. In her memory, Edna’s family will continue her efforts to create signage and fencing for the cemetery. As a part of that effort, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Gena Baujan. A Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 5 to 7pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Edna King

February 7, 1932 - July 21, 2023