Edna Valma Barnes Grubl Long, daughter of pioneers, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2006, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, students and all the people whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be Thursday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel and Friday one hour prior to the services at the church. A Rosary and Christian prayer service will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, January 27, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Ray Deisch officiating. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery.

Edna was born February 13, 1909, in Sturgis at her paternal grandparent's home near Bear Butte Creek. Her grandmother was a midwife and delivered Edna. Edna's parents were Elizabeth (Lizzie) Kathryn Molitor Barnes (1889-1978) and Walter Edmund (Ed) Sinclair Barnes (1885-1945). Her parents were born in the Dakota and Wyoming Territories, respectively. Edna grew up on their ranch on Lower Alkali Divide east of Sturgis. She attended the Sturgis Public Schools for 12 years living with her aunt and uncle in Sturgis during the school year. Edna attended the Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish and started teaching at the Lower Alkali School District #79 in the fall of 1928. She rode her horse or drove her father's Ford coupe 3 miles to the school. Edna later taught at the Alkali Creek District #56 until 1934.

Edna married Louis Frank Grubl III (1899-1970) on December 28, 1929, at the Catholic Parish House in Sturgis, SD. They lived at the ranch on the Alkali Divide east of Sturgis. They were blessed with 3 sons: Leo Edward (b.1935), Edward Louis (b.1938), and Lyle David (b.1945). Edna was extremely active in both the Alkali and Sturgis communities. For all her accomplishments, Edna was recognized as the first outstanding woman of Sturgis in 1981 sponsored by Zonta. She was a charter member of the Alkali Busy Bee FCE Club for 70 years holding all local offices, several county and state offices. Edna helped establish the Alkali Troopers (now Cavalry Troopers) 4-H club and was a 4-H leader for 5 years.

Edna helped establish the following organizations acting as their first chairman: Sturgis Community Hospital Auxiliary, Meade County Senior Citizen Center, Western SD Council of Senior Citizens, and was chairman of the book staff that published "Mato Paha - Land of the Pioneers of Northwest Meade County SD" history book copyrighted in 1969 by the Alkali Community Club. She taught catechism for 10 years at the Bear Butte Catholic Church.

Edna was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Altar Society of Sturgis. She was a 74 year member of the Idle Hour Club, charter member and director of R.S.V.P. for 12+ years, charter member and instructor of AARP for the babysitting course and 55 Alive course, charter member of the Alkali Community Club, and charter member of the Western Dakota Antique Club. She was the first lady sheriff of the Black Hills Corral of the Westerners. She was active in fundraising to establish the Western Dakota Heritage museum in Spearfish and a member of the Butte County Historical Society. Edna worked as assistant to the Public Health Nurse and substitute taught for several years. She then went on to become the first director for the Sturgis Senior Citizens center from 1973 to 1985.

Edna married Reggie Long of Newell in 1975 and lived in Newell for 2 years with him before moving back to Sturgis until his death in 1977. She then lived with her mother, Lizzie Barnes, at her home on Junction until her death in 1978. Edna continued to reside in the home on Junction until a fall in August of 2005 necessitated the move to the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center. All her life, Edna was an avid card player, enjoying bridge and 500 as well as many other card games. She was a force to be reckoned with at the card table even with failing eyesight. She enjoyed dancing, visiting with friends, and anything to do with people. Edna always liked to be around people and helping out where she could.

Edna is survived by her three sons and their families, Leo and Iva Grubl of rural Sturgis, Eddie and Carol Grubl of rural Sturgis, and Lyle and Diane Grubl of Rapid City; four grandchildren, GeorgiAnn (Grubl) and Delbert Cobb of Red Owl, Barney Grubl of Lake Stevens, WA, Chris and Vera (Schoenfelder) Grubl of rural Sturgis, and Liz Grubl of Sturgis; two step-grandchildren, Avery and Jack Olson; seven great-grandchildren, Ashly (Cobb) and Brett Price of Faith, Clint Cobb of Red Owl, Adam and Lucas Grubl of rural Sturgis, and Brandon, Zachary, and Brianna Grubl of Everett, WA; and one great-great-grandchild, Timber Ann of Miles City, MT.

Memorials have been established to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and to the Sturgis Senior Citizens Center.