Edna Nothem
Edna A. (Nelson) Nothem, age 94, of Canby, Minn., died peacefully, surrounded by her children, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Sylvan Court Nursing Home in Canby. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 11, at First Baptist Church in Canby, with Rev. Jeff Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the Canby City Cemetery in Canby. Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. Sunday, May 10, with a prayer service beginning at 6:45 p.m. at Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, and will resume Monday, one hour prior to the service at the church.
Edna Aileen (Nelson) Nothem was born on September 3, 1931, in Balaton, Minn., to parents John and Vendla (Vieman) Nelson. She grew up on the family farm southwest of Balaton and attended school district No. 79, graduating in 1948 from high school in Balaton. Edna was one of 13 children.
Edna loved her family; her greatest joy was visiting with her children and extended family. She was always ready for an adventure, going anywhere with those she loved. A road trip included polka music, checking out the crops and a good lunch along the way. Edna also had a passion for music. Not only could she play several instruments (guitar, piano and accordion), but she played by ear and didn’t read notes. Edna loved going to dances, especially polka dancing with her favorite music provided by the Larry Olsen Band of Lake Benton. In addition to music, Edna loved being outdoors and going for walks. Once she entered Sanford Health Sylvan Court, she took up a new hobby of painting, which she found great joy in doing. Birds were of interest to Edna, and she painted several portraits, which were proudly displayed in her room and on her family’s walls, as well as in the gallery at Sanford.
What people will remember most about Edna was her sense of humor, kindness, and that she could make you laugh with her quick-witted comebacks. She was also very generous, practical, and possessed a grateful spirit. She really cared about the people in her life and expressed her love of life with laughter and appreciation for those around her.
A couple of Edna’s favorite quotes were: “It’s all what you make it” and “Tide and Time wait for no man.”
Edna was married to the love of her life, Donald R. (Gunner) Nothem, on December 23, 1955. To this union six children were born. The Nothems purchased the Canby Corral Drive-Inn, which they owned and operated for 18 years. After the sale of the business, they moved their family to a farm seven miles west of Canby. Edna worked at the Canby Community Health System for more than 10 years before retiring. After the death of her husband Don in 1981, Edna met and married Marvin Kasemodel. They lived on a farm near Brandt, S.D., before moving to Watertown, and then returned to Edna’s family farm in the ’90s.
Edna is survived by her children: Donald S. Nothem, Rapid City, S.D.; Deborah (Doug) Full, Canby; Brenda (Gary) Denelsbeck, Porter; Steven (Kelli) Nothem, Gilcrest, Colo.; Robert Nothem, Anchorage, Alaska; and Jeffery (Nikki) Nothem, Clear Lake, S.D.; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister: Anna Marie Mortland, Marshall; and many nieces and nephews.
Edna is preceded in death by her parents, John and Vendla (Vieman) Nelson; husband, Donald R. Nothem; husband, Marvin Kasemodel; sisters: Hilda Nelson, Selma Nelson, Helen Bailey and Alice Olson; brothers: Morris, Rueben, Herb and Warren Nelson; two infant siblings; daughter-in-law Teresa Nothem; granddaughter’s spouse Jason Van Engen; and great-grandson Jaron Kramer.