Edel Harriet Headington

Monday, January 15, 2018 6:25 pm

Edel Harriet Headington, 87, of Decorah, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at Accura HealthCare in Cresco, where she was a resident. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Burial is in Russell Cemetery in rural Decorah. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Friday, one before the service, at First Lutheran Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com. Organist is Marcia Engebretson. Soloist is Nicolette O-Neill (“Here I Am Lord” and “The Lord’s Prayer”). Congregational hymns are “How Great Thou Art: and “Amazing Grace.” Casket bearers are her grandsons: Daniel Levernier, Brian Levernier, Zackariah Murray, Philip Headington, Curtis Headington and Cole Headington.

Edel was born Dec. 29, 1930, at home in Madison Township, Winneshiek County, the daughter of Hans and Esther (Guttormson) Solum. She was baptized and confirmed at Madison Lutheran Church. Edel received her education in Madison and Lincoln Country Schools and Ridgeway and Decorah High Schools. She married John C. W. (Jack) Headington in the Madison Lutheran Church Dec. 18, 1948. They were blessed with four children: Ellen, Mary, John and Kara.
Edel worked in retail at Town and Country Jewelers and Anundsen Book Center for many years before becoming a cook at the Decorah High School. She retired from this position in the Decorah School District. Edel was a clever seamstress, sewing for her family, many, many weddings and also made the coronation dresses for the Luther College Homecoming for years. She really enjoyed her flower gardens. Edel was a member of First Lutheran Church and active in circle.

Edel is survived by her husband, Jack Headington; four children: Ellen (Joe) Levernier of Hopkins, Minn., Mary (Jerry) Nelson of Tiffin, John (Barb) Headington and Kara Headington of Decorah; eight grandchildren: Daniel (Melonie) Levernier, Brentwood, Tenn., Dr. Brian Levernier, Minneapolis, Minn., Zackariah and Mikaila Murray, Philip (Shawn) Headington, Curtis (Ashley) Headington, all of Decorah, Ericka Njemanze, Oakland, Calif. and Erik Nelson, Tiffin; 13 great-granddaughters and six great-grandsons; a brother, David (Carol) Solum, Decorah, sister-in-law Joan Solum, Dresbach, Minn., sister-in-law Mildred Jacobson, Decorah, and brother-in-law Paul (Dick) Headington and Mary Lou Hageman, Decorah.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vernon Solum and Carrol (LuAnn) Solum; and grandson, Joseph John Headington.

Memorials to be directed to the Russell Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 353, Decorah, IA 52101.