Kathleen Edwards, age 98, of Sidney passed away on January 14, 2025, at the Sidney Regional Medical Center. Following her wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services will be held at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer. Memorials in Kathleen’s name can be made to the James and Kathleen Edwards Memorial Landscaping Fund at the Faith Methodist Church.

You may view Kathleen’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Kathleen’s care and funeral arrangements.

Kathleen Leslie Cruise was born on August 4, 1926, in Kearney, Nebraska to parents, Leslie and Mae Lewis Cruise.  When she was 18 months old, the family moved to a farm north of Sidney. She attended country school through 8th grade and then started high school in Sidney at the age of 12. Kathleen attended Doane College in Crete, Nebraska for one year. Due to her father’s serious heart condition, she stayed at home for a year and worked at the Sioux Army Depot as a secretary. In June of 1944 she enrolled at Colorado a M (now known as Colorado State University). Kathleen was a member of Tri Delta Sorority. She majored in home economics and graduated in 1947.

Kathleen was married to James Edwards on August 17, 1947, at the Sidney Methodist Church. They lived in Fort Collins for two years where Kathleen taught home economics at Fort Collins Junior High School until Jim graduated from college with a degree in veterinary medicine. They moved to Sidney in 1949, and Jim established his veterinary practice. Kathleen was active in the community as well as in her children’s activities. She was a ten-year Girl Scout Leader, a 4-H Leader for ten years and Guardian Secretary of Job’s Daughters. She was a 68-year member of P.E.O., as well as Past President of the Sidney Chapter of American Association of University Women and Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star. Kathleen was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and also volunteered for many years for Meals on Wheels. She has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sidney for over 86 years where she served as chairperson of United Methodist Women and served on the board of trustees. She was a member of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary, served as president in 1968, and was voted Nebraska Auxiliary member of the year in 1985.

She loved to play bridge and in her younger years was an avid golfer and bowler. After Jim’s retirement, they enjoyed their lake home at Lake McConaughy for 27 years. She loved traveling abroad and had visited 49 states. She was a devoted wife, a beloved mother, and a doting grandmother and great grandmother.

Survivors include son Dr. Thomas (wife Marion) Edwards of Center Valley, PA, daughters Elizabeth Edwards of Denver, CO, and Julia (husband Timothy) Peetz of Sidney, NE and six grandchildren, David (wife Kyle) Peetz of Lincoln, NE , Ben (wife Katy) Peetz of Kansas City KS, Adam (wife Sabra)Peetz of Sidney, NE, Alexandra (husband Will) Edwards of Washington, DC , James (wife Amy) Edwards of Montclair, NJ, and Christopher Edwards of Chicago IL. Great grandchildren William, Everett, and Corbin Peetz, Emery and Hudson Peetz, Josephine and George Edwards.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband James, parents Mae and Leslie Cruise, brother Ray Cruise and wife Marguerite, sister Geraldine Talich and husband Lloyd, father-in-law William Edwards, and mother-in-law Freda Edwards and sister-in-law Mae Havens.