Edna Polston

Edna Julia (Stroda) Polston, 93 passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Abilene, Kansas. She was born January 8, 1933, the daughter of Vernon Peter and Gladys Marie (Smith) Stroda in Hope, Kansas. She went to Union Valley School through 7th grade and graduated from Hope High School in 1950. Edna then attended Kansas State University and graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Wichita, KS. On June 2, 1956, Edna married Lewis Edward Polston at St. Phillip Catholic Church in Hope. To this union, Lewis and Edna had six children. She followed her dream of being a registered nurse and worked for 44 years at St. Francis, Abilene and Herington Hospitals. She was a proud steward of the John and Julia Stroda homestead, which was recognized as a Century Farm Award recipient. She was active in her church and St. Phillips Altar Society. She loved her community and was honored to serve as the Hope Festival Grand Marshall. Her hobbies included reading and promoting Patricia Davids novels, polka music, following her grandchildren’s activities, drawing, flower arranging, and gardening in her yard.

Her survivors include her children Diana (Lee) Floyd, Gordon (Linda) Polston all of Herington, Kerry (Dale) Haag, Topeka, Kansas, Michal Polston, Silver Spring, Maryland, Douglas (Jacqueline) Polston, Emporia, Kansas, Lori (Tom) Walton, Lawrence, Kansas; 11 grandchildren LeAnn (Jeff) White, Curtis Floyd, Ryan Floyd, Ashley Wiens, Jordon (Mellissa) Polston, Alex Polston, Luke Polston, Mason (Alaina) Polston, Colin Polston, Rheanne Walton, Braden Walton and 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Marilyn Stroda and treasured cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lewis, brothers Max Stroda, Boyd Stroda, and Clarence Stroda; infant sisters Ethel Marie and Dorothy Ruth; grandson-in-law Daniel Wiens, granddaughter-in-law Kristen Floyd and infant granddaughter, Monica Catherine Polston.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 18, from 5:30-7:30 with her rosary to follow from 7:30-8:00 p.m., at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, 404 S. Broadway, in Herington. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Phillip Catholic Church, 114 N. Main, Hope, Kansas 67451.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Phillip Catholic Church or St. Phillip Catholic Cemetery in care of the church.