Edan C Wille

Edna Wille, age 92, a Momineetown-born wife and mother, who received national attention with her championship status on "The Price Is Right", died on Monday, August 11, 2008 in her home in Sylvania Township. She was born to Herman and Kate Jacobs on April 8, 1916, near where her pioneer grandfather, John Abt, settled in 1830 when he emigrated from Germany. She graduated from Clay High School and in 1940 married Harold Wille of Toledo. She raised four children, Dianne, Jeff, Cindy, and Tom. Grandpa Wille lived at the family home for 12 years until his death. So, a very busy Edna ran a full house of endless activity. Edna was a natural creator with a big heart and an ongoing joy for life itself. She loved bringing together family and friends for laughter and stories. She believed passionately in the wonderful power of food and what it could do to bring people together, and delighted in preparing delicious culinary creations. Gregarious, opinionated, and delightfully entertaining, you were never bored in her presence. Edna was full of life and including the last days she seemed to be indestructible in her determination to keep bouncing back from more than a few brushes with death. Her quick and creative mind made her a winner-literally. In 1962, in New York with her daughter Dianne, instead of shopping she decided to try to become a contestant on "The Price Is Right". That achieved, she then proceeded to outbid her competitors two consecutive days. Among her numerous prizes was a trip to Paris. She and Harold then toured Europe for four weeks in a new Volkswagen. She always said that it must have given them the wanderlust, as they traveled extensively to the 50 states, to Asia, and enjoyed many cruises. Always loving the thrill of a challenge, in 1985 she entered the Toledo Blade's "Taste of Toledo" contest and won first prize for her original appetizer recipe, "Swiss Crab Bites". During the 1940's she worked for the Lucas County Clerk of Courts as a Deputy Clerk of Courts. For 15 years until 1989, Edna volunteered at Toledo Hospital's Information Desk, a perfect fit for her caring personality. She also was for 12 years a Board Member and President of the League of St. Anthony Villa. She was a President of the Regina Coeli Altar and Rosary Society and a long-time member of Gesu Parish. Her greatest accomplishment however was her complete love for and dedication to her family. Until the last few months of her life she prepared Sunday dinner, the catalyst for getting everyone in town together. And home was filled with the latest cards and photos from her loved ones not in town. "Non", we will miss you, more than you could ever know. Besides her parents, preceeding her in death were her husband of 62 years Harold, her brother Earl Jacobs, and her sister Marie Henninger. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Dianne Nyitray Kaericher (Michael) and Cindy Sohnly, her sons Jeff and Tom (Sally), her 12 grandchildren Brent Nyitray, Nicole Tank, Carrie Fredericks, and Andy Nyitray, Katie, Joanna, and Cassie Sohnly, Erin Wille, and Kip, Jack, Jeff, and Tom Wille, Jr., and three greatgrandchildren Connor Tank, Spencer Nyitray, and Grace Fredericks. The family will receive visitors from 3-7PM Sunday, August 17th, at the Ansberg West Funeral Home, 3000 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo, where a Prayer Service will be held at 6 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM Monday, August 18th, at Corpus Christi University Parish, 2955 Dorr St., Toledo. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to Hospice of NW Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551. She and all her family members were grateful for their extraordinary and loving care.