Memorial Services for Edith Marie (Harris) Simerly of Thorne Crest Retirement Community of Albert Lea, will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Albert Lea, with Rev. John Bromeland officiating.

Interment will be next to her husband, &8220;Mike,&8221; in Hillcrest Cemetery. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting with arrangements.

Edith died on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the age of 97.

Edith (Harris) Simerly was born near Oxford in Worth County, Mo. on Oct. 20, 1910, to Minnie Bell (Arnold) and Joseph Elijah Harris. Edith attended school in Concord. During her high school years, she lived with her grandparents Levi and Lidy Arnold in Parnell, Mo. After graduation she went to St. Joseph North Buchanan Co. Business School. During this time, she met &8220;Mike&8221; (Earl Elliot Simerly), and they married on Oct. 25, 1930.

Edith worked as a clerk typist for a number of years.

Edith and Mike were both interested in sports, hunting and fishing, spending many summer weekends up north. After they moved to Albert Lea, they joined the United Methodist Church where Edith was active in the United Methodist Women and the Wesleyan Service Guild. Edith treasured her family, her church, her friendships and was always ready to serve coffee.

She had a special love for cats.

Edith and Mike had been married 43 years when Mike died. Later, Edith did a lot of traveling, joining tours to many European countries.

She loved to travel.

She is survived by three nieces, Leota Gray of Gladstone, Mo., LaDonna Proctor of Bethany, Mo., and Patty Rex of Milton, Fla.;

a nephew, Jack Harris, and his wife Ellen of Minot, N.D. and their families; and also many cousins and friends.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, her parents, her brother, Harvey, and his wife, Gail, and a niece, Darla Gossett. A special friend,

Edwina Harris, also preceded her in death by several weeks.