Edith Helma Flesher, age 96 of Gresham, Oregon passed peacefully and loved at home with her family on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Her beautiful loving heart stopped on her way to heaven after fighting heart and kidney disease this year.
Edith was born January 20, 1926 in Anamoose, ND the third child of Charlie and Margaret (Vannatta) Vickstrom. She grew up with her brothers Clarence and Gordon and sisters Alice and Allegra. Her family moved to Minnesota where she graduated from Cambridge Minnesota High School in 1943.
Edith worked at Brown & Bigelow in Minneapolis, MN making fuses for bombs in World War II. She worked several jobs at Bemis Bag, Land O Lakes and Munsingwear before moving to Oregon with her sister Alice. She worked as a waitress in Newport, OR where she met her husband Fred who managed the Newport skating rink. They worked at the rink together in Newport and Edith Vickstrom married Fred W. Flesher in Newport, OR 1952.
They lived in Lakeview, OR running the skating rink and taught skating lessons in San Mateo, CA before living in Prineville, OR working the Marks Creek Lodge. They settled in Gresham, OR owning and operating the Gresham skating rink in 1955 until 1973. They had two children Lorna and Bill who grew up in the rink and work together as a family. They owned skating rinks in Coos Bay, OR and Boise, ID and their son Bill owned the skating rink in Lebanon, OR. After Fred and Edith divorced she worked for Aid Association for Lutherans as an administrative assistant for 14 years before retiring at the age of 62.
Edith lived life to the fullest and loved being active in her church Redeemer Lutheran where she was the financial secretary. She was a devout Lutheran and loved attending bible study with her church family. Edith was a world traveler and went on several trips with her church group to the Holy lands, Australia, Alaska and Mexico. Edith lost her right leg after surgery in 2010 and moved in with her daughter Lorna and husband Mike. She continued to be active in her church, was dedicated to keeping her family tree updated and loved attending family reunions. Edith loved sending birthday cards and cards for every occasion to everyone she knew and loved. Edith’s pride and joy was her family. She loved being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was selfless, giving, kind and filled everyone’s hearts with joy. Edith was an exceptional woman and loved by all who knew her. Her home was always open and she always helped those in need. She was a true example of the love, kindness and peace our world needs.
Edith is survived by her daughter; Lorna and Mike Glenn of Gresham, OR, her son; Bill and Julie Flesher of Lebanon, OR and daughter; Barbara Cappello (Fred’s daughter) of Houston, TX., grandchildren; Jessica and Sam Klingner, Kristy Wilhite, Joey and Timisha Flesher, Jeff and Tiffany Flesher and eight grandchildren; Forrest, Lillie Moon, Benjamin, Wyatt, Leon, Anora, Atticus, Elliott and also her youngest sister; Allegra Overby of Kerrville, TX.
A viewing will start at 1:00p.m. followed by a 2:00p.m. funeral at Redeemer Lutheran Church795 E Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030. The family suggest contributions be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edith’s memory.
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