Edna Charlotte Gatzke, age 76, of Mehoopany, PA passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 31, 2023 at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital.

Edna was born on March 19, 1947 in Morristown, NJ the daughter of the late Milton and Edna Curtis Sleeth.  She was a graduate of Morristown High School with the class of 1965.  After high school, she attended beauty school in New Jersey and obtained her Cosmetology License.

She married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence "Larry" H. Gatzke on May 28, 1966.  Together they raised two children.  Edna was employed as a Beautician in a salon in New Jersey until their family moved to Mehoopany, PA in 1977.  While in Pennsylvania she was employed with a shoe factory in Tunkhannock and in the food services department at P&G.

Edna had a passion for gardening and sharing her knowledge with others. She spent the summers in her greenhouse tending to her vegetable and flower gardens.  Edna canned many of the things she grew and loved trying new recipes.  She made the best homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese and BLTs loved especially by her grandchildren.  She was a member of the local garden club and won numerous ribbons as a Master Gardener at the Wyoming County Fair for her plants, herbs, flowers, and honey.  Edna and her family also enjoyed camping and going to drag races at Maple Grove. She was a member and secretary at the Lovelton Bible Church and loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Edna is survived by her husband of 57 years, Larry Gatzke; her children Matthew Gatzke and his wife, Meredith, of New Jersey and Kelly Bajek and her husband, Matthew, of New Jersey; her grandchildren, Matthew, Jack, Emily, and Clare; her sister and spouse, Millie Sleeth (Doug Patterson); her brothers-in-law, Reggie, Ronald (Fran), Russell, and Paul; as well as many nieces and nephews.  Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her sisters and spouses, Lois (Aurthur), Harriet (Donald), Wilma (Stewart), and Judy; and her father/mother-in-law, Bill and Rose Gatzke.

A Celebration of Life for Edna will be held on Saturday, June 17th at 2pm at the Lovelton Bible Church,1050 PA-87, Mehoopany, PA 18629 with Reverend Doug Mills of the church officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Edna's name to the Lovelton Bible Church, 1050 PA-87, Mehoopany, PA 18629 or to Child Hunger Outreach Partners on the website, www.chopouthunger.org.

Arrangements are entrusted with the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main St., Laceyville, PA.  Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.