Edith Francis Dailey

Edith Francis Dailey, 101 years young, of Jefferson, SD, peacefully passed away at Unity Point Hospital with family members at her side. Services will be on Saturday, January 18, 2025 with visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM and Memorial Service at 10:30 AM at Riverside Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1817 Riverside Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51109 with Pastor Tim Squier officiating. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Edith was born February 14, 1923, in rural Waterbury, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Henry and Delilah (Millard) Ropken. Edith attended grade school at the Voss School near Waterbury, Nebraska. She later graduated from Emerson Nebraska Public High School in 1940. While attending school she participated in choir, band, and 4-H, which she enjoyed. Edith received her teaching certificate and taught in rural schools in Wakefield, Homer, and Dakota City, Nebraska. She attended Wayne State Teachers College during her summers to receive her teaching certificate.

Edith married Harold M. Dailey on September 30, 1944, at Fort Lewis, Washington, Army Chapel. During WWII while Harold was overseas, Edith worked at Montgomery Wards, in Olympia, Washington., and worked at several local businesses which included bookkeepers at Burke Lumberyard and Dailey Redwood Yards then located in Sioux City, Iowa and North Sioux City, South Dakota.

In 1946 Edith and Harold began farming near Jefferson, South Dakota, where the couple had three children: Mary Lou, Paul, and Timothy. After raising her family, Edith enjoyed substitute teaching for 26 years at Jefferson High School, McCook Elementary, and Dakota Valley Schools in South Dakota.

Edith was very active throughout her life which included 25 years as a member of the Southernette Extension Club, the American Legion Auxiliary and served as President of Unit 134, Elk Point, South Dakota as District President for 4 years and Dept. President of the South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary in 1974-75 and served as a Counselor for the South Dakota Girls State for 13 years-National Girls State Counselor for 2 years, and also held several other National Offices. Edith was active in her church groups and member of Siouxland Senior Center and volunteered until the age of 90.

Edith enjoyed many hobbies in her life which included travel, quilting, and meeting new people wherever she went.

Those left to cherish her memories are her sons, Paul (Debra), Timothy (Kellye) Dailey of Jefferson, South Dakota; grandchildren: Megan (Adam) Snoozy, Matthew (Jackie) Dailey, Taylor Dailey, Ashley (Chad) Bloomfield, Jenifer (Dave) Schwanke, Jeanne Parker, Jill (Josh) Helgesen; and 12 Great- Grandchildren.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2005, her daughter Mary Lou Pflaum, her brother Ralph Ropken and his wife Betty Ropken.

The family of Edith (Ropken) Dailey wish to thank her caregivers at Pioneer Valley Rehabilitation and Living Facility in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, the staff at Unity Point Health-St. Lukes Hospital, and Dr. Nancy Schenk and staff at Family Health Care of Siouxland at Dakota Dunes, South Dakota for all their care and kindness.