Edna Marie
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                                     Edna Marie (Kuper) Iverson
                     
( June 18, 1922 - Oct. 11, 1996 )
                                                 

   

                               Mother Anna (Hansen) Kuper          Father: Joseph J. Kuper      

 

Edna Kuper was born June 18, 1922 on a farm between Highmore and Seneca, South Dakota.  Her sister, Ethel (Hall), had to go by horse and buggy to the neighbors to get help with the delivery. Ethel often spoke of this journey. Edna’s early life was filled with poverty. After completing the 8th grade at a one room country school in Faulk County, she went to work for a family in the Gettysburg, South Dakota area as domestic helper. She later worked as a waitress in a Highmore, South Dakota café where she met her future husband, Johannes Iwersen (a.k.a John or Honus Iverson). 

Honus was born May 17, 1909 in Riesbrick, (West) Germany to Andres and Botilde (Petersen) Iwersen. He was the oldest of seven children. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 18 on the Albert Ballin, Hamburg America Line. He arrived in New York City on the on April 28, 1928 after a 10 day trip with $13 in his pocket. He was sponsored by his Uncle Bendix (a.k.a Ben Iverson) who immigrated from Germany in 1907. Honus spoke no English when he arrived in the United States. Because he had no money nor could he speak English, he had nothing to eat on the train from Chicago to Ree Heights, South Dakota. He later taught himself to read and write in English. Upon arrival in Ree Heights, he found the region desolate and was very homesick for the first year of arriving in the U.S. He wanted to go back to Germany but had no money to return. Times were tough after he arrived as the Great Depression and the “Dirty Thirties” struck the country. He had to leave his uncle’s farm to seek work elsewhere. He traveled place to place on top or in railroad train cars. He worked on crews thrashing grain from Nebraska to Canada. He even picked potatoes in North Dakota. He came back to South Dakota with five $20 bills. In 1934, he worked as a hired hand and sheep herder for a rancher near the Phillip, South Dakota area near the Bad River for 8 months. He often spoke of the numerous rattle snakes and had a life long aversion to them. He worked for one west river rancher with the promise of a salary of $30 per month. But when it came time to be paid after several months of work, the rancher told him he had no money to pay him so he left empty handed. He eventually came to live with his Uncle Ben around 1937-1938. During the winter months, he hunted rabbit and trapped and was very happy that on Saturday night he could afford to buy a banana split for 25 cents.  Honus became a United States naturalized citizen in 1951. He later served on the Campbell Township Board, the Hand County Selective Service Draft Board, and the Ree Heights Farmer's Elevator Board.

Edna and Honus were married at her parent’s farm north of Highmore, South Dakota on January 16, 1944. They went to live with Honus’ Uncle Ben on a farm in Campbell Township in Hand County South Dakota (north of Ree Heights) where they were livestock and grain producers. Her ambition in life was to be a good wife and mother. To this union were born four children:  Stanley John Iverson d.o.b. July 31, 1944, James Lee Iverson d.o.b. October 4, 1945; Carl Rae Iverson d.o.b. August 20, 1955; and Betty Jean Iverson d.o.b. Novermber 6, 1956.  Honus Iverson took over the operation of the farm when his Uncle Ben died in 1959.

To help provide for the family, Edna grew large vegetable gardens every year. She canned vegetables for most of her life. Her pantry was always teeming with canned goods. When on the farm, she always milked a cow and churned her own butter. She raised large quantities of chickens. She sold the eggs which allowed her to buy staples in town. She also “plucked” chickens to eat and froze the meat. She later raised hogs and was very sad when Honus sold her favorite sow.

Edna and Honus lived on the farm until 1968 when they moved to Ree Heights, South Dakota. They operated Iverson’s Tavern in Ree Heights, South Dakota from 1978 to 1984. They also ran a small hog and later a cattle operation with their son, James Iverson.

Edna was active in her community as a member of the Ree Heights Community Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Ree Heights Fireman’s Auxiliary, and two home extension clubs. She enjoyed visits from her family and friends. She loved to cook and to bake and always had a meal or a dessert readily available for visits. Edna was an avid Bingo player and loved playing cards, especially if it involved a little gambling. Edna enjoyed laughter. She was a strong woman. It was nothing for her to stop along a roadside to kill a badger with a tire iron so she could cash in on the bounty nor was it nothing for her at the age of 71 to pull a calf from a heifer by herself. Unfortunately, the curse of the cigarette eventually lead to her decline in health and strength.

Honus Iverson died at Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller, South Dakota on February 17, 1994. Edna died at the same hospital on October 11, 1996 from a massive stroke. Both Honus and Edna are buried at the Morningside Cemetery in Ree Heights, South Dakota.

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