Edna Martin Jensen Georgis was born August 15, 1923 in Rock Springs, WY. She is the 11th and last child of Martin and Hanna (Dodd) Jensen and was 7 years behind her only sister, Lily Mae. Edna grew up on the family ranch south of Boulder, Wyoming, near Muddy Creek and Big Sandy post office. The ranch home is a Sears and Roebuck house built between 1916 & 1919. Edna said, “I loved that house”. Later it was the home of her brother Otto Jensen & wife, Florence, then their son John & wife Grace. It now belongs to Mark & Renee Jones.

Edna’s father, Martin came from Denmark and worked in a leather-tanning factory in PA. He rode a high-wheeler bike from PA to NE where he worked for Edna’s grandpa, on a farm. Edna’s mother, Hanna, married James Huckleberry. They had a son Clarence and moved to PA. When Hanna was expecting their 2nd son Ted (these 2 siblings are Edna’s half-brothers) her husband got the mumps. It was misdiagnosed, they packed him in ice, the fever was driven to his brain, and he died. Hanna returned to NE, and met Martin Jensen. They were married Sept 27, 1898. They lived in railroad towns while Martin was a section foreman. Martin’s older brother, James, was ranching on the East Fork and encouraged Martin to bring his family to the area and prove up on a homestead. Edna’s mother remembers the ride from Rock Springs in a horse and buggy. She held the 5th son, Glen, in her lap, but the other boys – Clarence, Ted, James, & Rennard – had to walk. Clarence later said, “Don’t tell me it isn’t a long ways to Rock Springs – I’ve walked it!” Edna’s other brothers were Glen, Gladwin, Floyd, Otto and Lawrence.

Edna’s cheerful disposition can probably be traced to an exceptionally happy childhood. She said, “Growing up was fun. It was great. I delighted in carrying in wood. One time I wanted to do something for my dad so I went and got a bunch of sagebrush – we burned sagebrush – and I stuffed it in the basement. I was told that much was a danger. Oh, I loved to gather eggs. My sister was suppose to be watching me but she had to get the sheep and told me to stay on the porch. I did for awhile but then I went to gather eggs and my lamb followed me. I got 2 eggs, one in each hand and thought I’d ride the lamb back. He went under the roost, knocked me off and I broke an egg. I was so upset. But the hens ate it (evidence removed). We had a garden. We’d clean tubs and tubs of rhubarb. I love it to this day. I had 14 cats on the ranch. Me and my love for cats! I really enjoyed doing it all. I enjoyed my family.”

Edna moved to Rock Springs for high school. Her sister Lily was selling tickets to the Beautician Operator’s Ball there & asked Emilio Georgis, an Italian, if he would buy a ticket. He said, “Only if I can take your sister”. He did. Edna was 16. Edna said, “That sister of mine! Our voices were alike and Lil would answer the phone. Emilio would say, ‘Edna is that you?’ and she’d say ‘Yes’ and accept dates for me.” Edna worked as a telephone operator & in the office of a shipyard in CA during WWII.

Emilio was a mechanical engineer in the Air Force. They were married June 4, 1944, in FL, where he was stationed. Their son Leslie was born Sept 5, 1945 and they returned to Rock Springs when Les was 6 weeks old. After the war Emilio was in the automotive business. Edna’s longest & last job was at Parker Brothers Drug in Rock Springs. Edna’s son Les & wife Diana have 2 children, Tony & Mandy. Les and Diana live in Denver & summer in Pinedale. In 2004, after she broke her hip, Edna moved into the Sublette Center. She enjoys lunch, crafts, spreading cheerfulness, and helping others at Rendezvous Pointe.

Published in Rendezvous Pointe Newsletter (Pinedale, WY Senior Center), May, 2007. By Judi Myers