Edna Marie Kary, age 66, of Norris, South Dakota, went home to Heaven on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2025, in Plains, MT.
Edna Marie Kary was born to James E. Snead and Jean (Sullivan) Snead on August 13th, 1958. She was one of ten children. Her childhood wasn’t easy, but she was tough. She was born in Delia, New Mexico, with her grandmother as the midwife. Her family moved North, to Montana, where she grew up. She always loved the mountains. As a teen and young adult, she spent a lot of time watching after her nieces and nephews and loved being an Aunt. She had a strong calling to care for children and babies, and she often answered that call. She was drawn to babies, and when one entered the room, it was never long before the baby was in her arms. She was always very encouraging to new moms.
She went to college to become a teacher and took a job at the Big White School in the middle of nowhere, SD. Parents were known to say that she was the best teacher their child ever had. She had a passion for it, and she was good at it. It was during her time at the Big White that she met Ace Kary. A different opportunity presented itself for her to teach back in MT, and she went back and took a job there. She and Ace continued to write letters back and forth and kept in touch over the phone. In 1992, seven years after meeting, they were united in marriage in Valentine, NE. When asked how Ace asked her to marry her, she would laugh and say, “he didn’t. He asked me if I wanted to be a grandmother.” The couple had an uncanny connection, and it was a common occurrence for one to pull out the phone to call the other, and the other would already be calling.
She soon met her next passion of being a mom, with the birth of her first child, Paul, in 1993. She found much joy in being a mother and worked hard to give her children a good life. She finished out her contract in MT, and Ace and Edna moved home to SD. Edna gave up her love of teaching other children to raise and teach her own as she worked alongside Ace in their multiple business ventures. Her second child, Rebekkah, was born in 1995. She said that she knew Rebekkah was a girl, and did not have a boy’s name picked, even though they didn’t find out until she was born. David, her 3rd and last child, was born in 1998. Edna worked hard, caring for animals, raising children, growing food, and running the gas station. She spent countless hours in the fields gathering seed that she and Ace sold. Edna was an extensive gardener and always kept a large garden or two, as well as multiple houseplants. There was always plenty of harvest, some to sell and much to give. She had a very green thumb and even got a fruit tree or two to produce beyond what SD weather usually allowed. She believed in natural medicine and was always researching and learning. She homeschooled her children, on top of everything else, for several years. Whenever she found time, she loved to play with her children. She squeezed in playing kickball, riding bikes, picking berries, and floating down the Niobrara River, and much more as she created memories. She always fought to make sure her children were loved and cared for. They always knew they were loved, as “I love you” often came out of her mouth, even in her last days. She also loved animals, particularly dogs and horses, loved riding horseback and going on hunting and hiking adventures.
As her children grew older, Edna felt the call of teaching again. She went back to school, renewed her certifications and started subbing in the White River school district. Soon she went back to teaching full-time and taught in both the White River and Kadoka Area school districts. She settled in Interior, teaching grades K-4. She had a soft spot for the kindergarteners, as she said they were so eager to learn, but she loved all her students and often referred to them as “my kids.” She devoted much of her life to teaching, and she loved doing it. She didn’t have any biological grandkids yet, but she made it to Grandma status anyway. Grandma Edna loved spending time with, teaching, and videochatting with Gracie, Remington, and Goldie.
During her Edna’s last time with all of her children together, she said the thing that she wanted most was to meet them all in heaven. Her faith carried her through many a hard time, and she rarely complained. Written in the margin of her bible was “Don’t hide from God, run to him! No limit.” The verse highlighted was: 2 Corinthians 1:4 – “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Edna was quick to lend a helping hand and spread kindness wherever she could. She leaned on the Lord and gave him all the Glory in her successes. If she knew you, you can bet you were prayed for more than once.
Survivors include three children: Paul, Rebekkah (Landon), and David, three sweet children that she loved being grandma to: Gracie, Remington, and Goldie, seven siblings: James, Karen, Alice, Annette, JoRene, Roxie, and Treva (Nolan), and many Nieces and Nephews.
Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Ace, her parents, a brother, Sam, who she was very close to, a sister, Pat, several Aunts and Uncles, and some beloved nephews.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Kadoka Bible Church with Pastor Jesse Taylor officiating.
Interment will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Norris Community Cemetery.