Obit: Forrester, Edwina Mae (1942 - 2009)

Contact: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Boice, Clements, Davidson, Forrester, Hall, Mater, Pond, Pontine, Schneider

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI), Thursday, February 26, 2009, Online Edition

Forrester, Edwina Mae (Mater) (March 20, 1921 - February 17, 2009)

Edwina Mae Forrester, age 87, of Eau Claire, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 at Dove Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation in Eau Claire.

Funeral services for Edwina were held Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 at Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Rd., Eau Claire.

Pastors Dennis Pond and David Clements officiated. Burial will be at the Downing Cemetery in the Township of Wheatland near Deckerville, Mich., at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009.

Edwina was born on March 20, 1921 in Custer, Mich., the only child of Walter and Mayme (Hall) Mater. Edwina grew up on the family farm. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade, and then attended Sandusky High School, graduating in 1938. Edwina graduated from Michigan State Normal School in 1942. She taught elementary school in Dearborn, Mich., for several years.

On June 23, 1943, Edwina Mater married George W. Forrester in McGregor, Mich. They were married almost 65 years. George was a dentist for 35 years, first in Deckerville, then in Wheaton, Ill. For nearly all those years, Edwina was his receptionist and assistant. Edwina and George moved to Wisconsin in 1987, first to Westboro, then to Owen and finally to Eau Claire to be near family (grandchildren).

Wherever they lived, George and Edwina were involved in their church and other Christian ministries. Edwina was a leader of the Pioneer Girls Club at Wheaton Bible Church for many years and often helped plan events for their adult Sunday school class. She was also a supportive parent in the activities of Wheaton Christian Grammar School and Wheaton Academy. After retiring and moving to Wisconsin, she could still be found faithfully teaching children's church whenever they attended.

Edwina is survived by their daughter, Janet (Dan) Davidson of Eau Claire; two grandchildren, Jeremy Davidson of Eau Claire and Jennifer (David) Schneider of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Jo Alice Pontine of Port Huron, Mich. and Eleanor Boice of Deckerville; a brother-in-law, Don (Vi) Forrester of Deckerville; and eight nieces and nephews.

Her husband, George, who passed away May 13, 2008; her parents; a brother-in-law, Homer Forrester; and three nephews preceded Edwina in death.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Pkwy., Charlotte, N.C. 28201.

Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.