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 On Friday, September 23, 1898, Edna Hermine Frederike Wilhelmina became the first child born to William Carl and Mary (Rambow) Heiden.
She was born while they lived at the "Adler"
farm on South Custer Road.
As a young girl, Edna recalled to her family memories of beautiful dresses made by a family seamstress, piano lessons, trips to town with her father and even accompanying him to funerals while her mother stayed at home attending to a newborn brother or sister. She remembered fondly "taking care" of her many younger siblings. To show appreciation for her extra help, her father bought her some beautiful furniture pieces for her marriage to
Henry Lewis Berns. Henry grew up on a neighboring farm, attended
St
Matthew Lutheran Church and even worked a short time for the Heidens which is how he met his future bride. He was born on Tuesday, September 4, 1894.
 They were married on May 11, 1918 and, through their 59 years of marriage, Henry and Edna raised six children. They lived on a number of rental farms in Monroe County before settling at the family farm at
7460 South Custer Road where they lived from 1944 to 1980.
During the early years of their marriage, they lived on the Wakefield farm which was on the north side of Dixon Road about half a mile east of the
William Carl Heiden farm. For several years, they lived at the Bordine farm at
11501 Dixon Road a few miles west of Edna's parents' home.
 Henry and Edna had a strong personal faith in God. They lived their lives showing great patience, kindness to others, and a sincere trust in God even in difficult times. The family always attended church regularly even though Henry often had to milk many cows by hand beforehand. The family home was always filled with laughter, fun stories and lively conversation. Henry and Edna eagerly awaited the arrival of "company" for an evening of cards such as euchre or Pepper. There would always be some beer, Vernors ginger ale, grape juice and popcorn for refreshments.
 Henry's love of flowers was evident throughout the yard. He could be seen planting bulbs far into the evening under the light of a lantern. Henry and Edna often enjoyed an evening stroll in their garden. Besides flowers, Henry enjoyed making conversation with a variety of people, playing Dart Ball at church and listening to Tiger ball games on the radio. Edna derived much pleasure from her own family and from her extended family. She was always making sure there was a visit or a letter going out to someone including the "Up North" Heidens [Herman Heiden Family]. Of course, there were weekly evening visits "up home" to her parent's place.
 She was a very good cook and enjoyed her vegetable garden and house plants. Edna delighted in seeing her canned vegetables and fruits lined neatly on the shelves. She enjoyed reading the daily newspaper, checking on the weather report, and also reading nightly from her magazines and journals. Henry and Edna both died peacefully in their home. Henry passed away on Sunday, June 19, 1977 at the age of 82 of an aneurysm. Edna died on Sunday, December 18, 1988 of complications from Parkinson's disease. She was 90. Both are buried in the
St
Matthew Lutheran Church
cemetery in
Raisinville Township. | 
Edna had 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren at the time of
her death. Edna was born at the "
