Edwina Lambertson Copeland, 92, died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 at her son's home near Bellingham, Wash.
She was born March 11, 1919 in Topeka, Kansas to William P. and Floy (Thompson) Lambertson. Her father was speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives at the time of her birth, and his duo careers of farming and politics had a significant impact on Edwina's childhood. She grew up traveling back and forth for school between her beloved hometown of Fairview, Kansas and Washington, D.C. where her father served in Congress for many years. She graduated from high school with her Fairview class in 1937.
After attending the University of Kansas, Edwina married Lt. Farrell Copeland December 6, 1940 at Junction City, Kan., where he was stationed at Ft. Riley. The military soon took them to California and then on to Hilo, Hawaii where they celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The next morning, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on the neighboring island of Oahu.
In 1945, the Copelands returned to Tucson, Ariz., where they ran a cattle ranch in the High Sonoran desert. Later, Farrell had a successful career as a builder in Tucson and Edwina raised her family of four children while serving in many civic capacities. For many years, Edwina was active in the Girl Scouts, eventually leading the Southern Arizona Chapter. In 1962, at Edwina's instigation, the Copelands moved to the new state of Alaska, settling first in Anchorage. With her children grown, Edwina earned a teaching certificate and taught school in Anchorage, Seward and Soldotna for 15 years before retiring. In retirement, she led an independent, nomadic life for several years by living in a small RV and traveling extensively around the country. Her final years were divided between California, Hawaii, and Washington State where she enjoyed spending time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edwina was the last survivor of her family, being preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Alonzo and Ruth Lambertson, Elise and Bob Reynolds, Milan and Esther Lambertson. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Teal Copeland.
Edwina is survived by her children: Tom and Merrie Copeland of Everson, Wash., Anna Young of Alaska, Steve and Xiomara Copeland of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Jane and Larry Souza of Salinas, Calif.; grandchildren Jesse Copeland, Elizabeth Copeland, Chance Young, Abby Stofle, Mike Souza; great-grandchildren Zephyr, Solvay, Sierra, Sylvia, Delilah, Autumn, and Ava; as well as great-great granddaughter, Natalie.
Her ashes were interred at a later date with a private service at the Lambertson family plot in the Sabetha, KS. cemetery, fulfilling a request that she made to be buried beside her brothers, parents, grandparents and other family members.
She was born March 11, 1919 in Topeka, Kansas to William P. and Floy (Thompson) Lambertson. Her father was speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives at the time of her birth, and his duo careers of farming and politics had a significant impact on Edwina's childhood. She grew up traveling back and forth for school between her beloved hometown of Fairview, Kansas and Washington, D.C. where her father served in Congress for many years. She graduated from high school with her Fairview class in 1937.
After attending the University of Kansas, Edwina married Lt. Farrell Copeland December 6, 1940 at Junction City, Kan., where he was stationed at Ft. Riley. The military soon took them to California and then on to Hilo, Hawaii where they celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The next morning, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on the neighboring island of Oahu.
In 1945, the Copelands returned to Tucson, Ariz., where they ran a cattle ranch in the High Sonoran desert. Later, Farrell had a successful career as a builder in Tucson and Edwina raised her family of four children while serving in many civic capacities. For many years, Edwina was active in the Girl Scouts, eventually leading the Southern Arizona Chapter. In 1962, at Edwina's instigation, the Copelands moved to the new state of Alaska, settling first in Anchorage. With her children grown, Edwina earned a teaching certificate and taught school in Anchorage, Seward and Soldotna for 15 years before retiring. In retirement, she led an independent, nomadic life for several years by living in a small RV and traveling extensively around the country. Her final years were divided between California, Hawaii, and Washington State where she enjoyed spending time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edwina was the last survivor of her family, being preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Alonzo and Ruth Lambertson, Elise and Bob Reynolds, Milan and Esther Lambertson. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Teal Copeland.
Edwina is survived by her children: Tom and Merrie Copeland of Everson, Wash., Anna Young of Alaska, Steve and Xiomara Copeland of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Jane and Larry Souza of Salinas, Calif.; grandchildren Jesse Copeland, Elizabeth Copeland, Chance Young, Abby Stofle, Mike Souza; great-grandchildren Zephyr, Solvay, Sierra, Sylvia, Delilah, Autumn, and Ava; as well as great-great granddaughter, Natalie.
Her ashes were interred at a later date with a private service at the Lambertson family plot in the Sabetha, KS. cemetery, fulfilling a request that she made to be buried beside her brothers, parents, grandparents and other family members.
Edwina Lambertson Copeland, 92, died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 at her son's home near Bellingham, Wash.
She was born March 11, 1919 in Topeka, Kansas to William P. and Floy (Thompson) Lambertson. Her father was speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives at the time of her birth, and his duo careers of farming and politics had a significant impact on Edwina's childhood. She grew up traveling back and forth for school between her beloved hometown of Fairview, Kansas and Washington, D.C. where her father served in Congress for many years. She graduated from high school with her Fairview class in 1937.
After attending the University of Kansas, Edwina married Lt. Farrell Copeland December 6, 1940 at Junction City, Kan., where he was stationed at Ft. Riley. The military soon took them to California and then on to Hilo, Hawaii where they celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The next morning, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on the neighboring island of Oahu.
In 1945, the Copelands returned to Tucson, Ariz., where they ran a cattle ranch in the High Sonoran desert. Later, Farrell had a successful career as a builder in Tucson and Edwina raised her family of four children while serving in many civic capacities. For many years, Edwina was active in the Girl Scouts, eventually leading the Southern Arizona Chapter. In 1962, at Edwina's instigation, the Copelands moved to the new state of Alaska, settling first in Anchorage. With her children grown, Edwina earned a teaching certificate and taught school in Anchorage, Seward and Soldotna for 15 years before retiring. In retirement, she led an independent, nomadic life for several years by living in a small RV and traveling extensively around the country. Her final years were divided between California, Hawaii, and Washington State where she enjoyed spending time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edwina was the last survivor of her family, being preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Alonzo and Ruth Lambertson, Elise and Bob Reynolds, Milan and Esther Lambertson. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Teal Copeland.
Edwina is survived by her children: Tom and Merrie Copeland of Everson, Wash., Anna Young of Alaska, Steve and Xiomara Copeland of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Jane and Larry Souza of Salinas, Calif.; grandchildren Jesse Copeland, Elizabeth Copeland, Chance Young, Abby Stofle, Mike Souza; great-grandchildren Zephyr, Solvay, Sierra, Sylvia, Delilah, Autumn, and Ava; as well as great-great granddaughter, Natalie.
Her ashes were interred at a later date with a private service at the Lambertson family plot in the Sabetha, KS. cemetery, fulfilling a request that she made to be buried beside her brothers, parents, grandparents and other family members.
She was born March 11, 1919 in Topeka, Kansas to William P. and Floy (Thompson) Lambertson. Her father was speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives at the time of her birth, and his duo careers of farming and politics had a significant impact on Edwina's childhood. She grew up traveling back and forth for school between her beloved hometown of Fairview, Kansas and Washington, D.C. where her father served in Congress for many years. She graduated from high school with her Fairview class in 1937.
After attending the University of Kansas, Edwina married Lt. Farrell Copeland December 6, 1940 at Junction City, Kan., where he was stationed at Ft. Riley. The military soon took them to California and then on to Hilo, Hawaii where they celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The next morning, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on the neighboring island of Oahu.
In 1945, the Copelands returned to Tucson, Ariz., where they ran a cattle ranch in the High Sonoran desert. Later, Farrell had a successful career as a builder in Tucson and Edwina raised her family of four children while serving in many civic capacities. For many years, Edwina was active in the Girl Scouts, eventually leading the Southern Arizona Chapter. In 1962, at Edwina's instigation, the Copelands moved to the new state of Alaska, settling first in Anchorage. With her children grown, Edwina earned a teaching certificate and taught school in Anchorage, Seward and Soldotna for 15 years before retiring. In retirement, she led an independent, nomadic life for several years by living in a small RV and traveling extensively around the country. Her final years were divided between California, Hawaii, and Washington State where she enjoyed spending time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edwina was the last survivor of her family, being preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Alonzo and Ruth Lambertson, Elise and Bob Reynolds, Milan and Esther Lambertson. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Teal Copeland.
Edwina is survived by her children: Tom and Merrie Copeland of Everson, Wash., Anna Young of Alaska, Steve and Xiomara Copeland of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Jane and Larry Souza of Salinas, Calif.; grandchildren Jesse Copeland, Elizabeth Copeland, Chance Young, Abby Stofle, Mike Souza; great-grandchildren Zephyr, Solvay, Sierra, Sylvia, Delilah, Autumn, and Ava; as well as great-great granddaughter, Natalie.
Her ashes were interred at a later date with a private service at the Lambertson family plot in the Sabetha, KS. cemetery, fulfilling a request that she made to be buried beside her brothers, parents, grandparents and other family members.
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