Edna was born on February 4, 1929, in rural Langworthy, Jones County, Iowa, the daughter of John and Emma (Poppe) Kray. The family endured many hardships including their father's death and their home being destroyed by fire. Edna and her family were raised by their mother, Emma. She was baptized in 1929 and confirmed in December 1941, at St. Peter and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Castle Grove Township near Monticello. Edna received her education and graduated from Monticello High School in 1947. She was trained as a teacher and taught in a rural school near Monticello. On June 1, 1948, Edna was united in marriage to Earl Zumbach at St. Peter and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Castle Grove Township. They were blessed with seven children. Together they farmed north of Ryan and in April of 2000 they moved to Manchester. Survivors include her husband, Earl Zumbach of Manchester; seven children, Doran (Billie) Zumbach of Coggon, Judy Hannes of Harlingen, Texas, Marilyn (Mike) Loan of Mount Vernon, Jolene (David) Allen of Kodiak, Alaska, Dorothea Brazina of Coralville, Denise (Todd) Ajax of Coralville, and Daniel (Shelley) Zumbach of Ryan; fourteen grandchildren, Mitchell Zumbach, Nichole Johnson, Jeff Hannes, JoLynn Hannes, Aaron Loan, Sarah Loan, Tianna Allen, Paige Brazina, Lauren Ajax, Taylor Ajax, Chelsea Zumbach, Brittney Zumbach, Nolan Zumbach, and Alex Zumbach; six great-grandchildren, McKenna Kinley, Nathan Zumbach, Tucker Johnson, Estelle Johnson, Hudson Hannes, and Hayden Hannes; one sister, Marie (Melvin) Hein of Monticello; and many other children that are special in her heart, including Courtney and Kyra Ford. Edna was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Gerhart, Albert, and Lester Kray.


Edna died on Sunday, November 26, 2006, at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, following complications from diabetes. She was seventy-seven years of age. Edna was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, WELCA, and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school for several years. She will forever be remembered for baking bread, being a mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and spending time with her beloved sister, Marie