Obituary for Edna K. "Eddie" Brake (Friederich)
Edna {Eddie} K Friederich Brake put her spatula down for the final time on 9/23/2022, at the age of 100. A self taught and gifted baker, her cookies were the stuff of legends. Edna was born to John and Emma (Ensminger) Friederich in Tripp, South Dakota in 1922, and was the middle of their nine children. According to Eddie, her father was a frustrated inventor and a farmer who lacked a green thumb; she remembered the stir that ensued when he planted a brand new crop - celery!
Edna learned the value of hard work from watching her mother and father working the farm. The life of a farmer however was not for Eddie. She was working in the box office of a movie theater (one of her 3 jobs) when a recently discharged soldier-- her future husband-- showed up for several days buying a ticket and pestering her for a date. Somehow she fell for his schtick and before long she was chugging across the country on a train bound for Pittsburgh. She became a professional hair dresser and later in life developed a passion for baking, especially cookies. The Pittsburgh cookie tables at her daughters' weddings were works of art. To continue her cookie legacy, this tradition will be carried on at her grandson's upcoming wedding. She was also an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast and played a mean game of Skipbo. She greatly enjoyed her daily 5 mile walks, which over time gradually became one-mile walks in her 90's.
Edna was preceded in death by her beloved son, Bobby, and her husband Robert C Brake Sr. Edna is survived by three daughters, Barbara Pais of Pittsburgh, Mary Lou (Allan) Blasko of Pittsburgh, Patricia (Brook) Duer of Lancaster, PA, two grandsons Brook Duer of Lancaster, PA and Britt Duer of Philadelphia, PA, one great granddaughter (Nora), a sister, Linda Denke of Phillips, South Dakota, and many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, and all who knew her kind and caring ways.
The family wishes to thank AHN Hospice for their exceptional, compassionate care in Eddie's final days. At her request, there will be no service. Interment will be private.
Edna learned the value of hard work from watching her mother and father working the farm. The life of a farmer however was not for Eddie. She was working in the box office of a movie theater (one of her 3 jobs) when a recently discharged soldier-- her future husband-- showed up for several days buying a ticket and pestering her for a date. Somehow she fell for his schtick and before long she was chugging across the country on a train bound for Pittsburgh. She became a professional hair dresser and later in life developed a passion for baking, especially cookies. The Pittsburgh cookie tables at her daughters' weddings were works of art. To continue her cookie legacy, this tradition will be carried on at her grandson's upcoming wedding. She was also an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast and played a mean game of Skipbo. She greatly enjoyed her daily 5 mile walks, which over time gradually became one-mile walks in her 90's.
Edna was preceded in death by her beloved son, Bobby, and her husband Robert C Brake Sr. Edna is survived by three daughters, Barbara Pais of Pittsburgh, Mary Lou (Allan) Blasko of Pittsburgh, Patricia (Brook) Duer of Lancaster, PA, two grandsons Brook Duer of Lancaster, PA and Britt Duer of Philadelphia, PA, one great granddaughter (Nora), a sister, Linda Denke of Phillips, South Dakota, and many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, and all who knew her kind and caring ways.
The family wishes to thank AHN Hospice for their exceptional, compassionate care in Eddie's final days. At her request, there will be no service. Interment will be private.