Edwina Rosaland Aker, 86

Edwina Aker of Polson passed away peacefully in her sleep from natural causes on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the age of 86.

Edwina was born on Jan. 26, 1938, to Dorothy and Ed Seivers in Albuquerque, N.M., where she attended a private school until 1947. Named after her father, Edwina joined her sister, Dorothy, and her brother, Bruce, came four years later. The family moved to Missoula when Edwina was nine.

Her family lived on Hastings Avenue, and Edwina attended Missoula County Public Schools and the University of Montana. She met her life partner, Chuck Aker, while on a UM skiing trip to Marshall Mountain during her sophomore year. Chuck asked her out, and on their second date she was allowed to stay out until midnight!

Edwina graduated from UM in 1959 with a BA in Psychology, alongside her future husband. Shortly thereafter, Chuck received a draft notice for the Army, which led them to multiple places throughout his military career. 

At age 21, Edwina married Chuck on Oct. 18, 1959, in the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Missoula. They lived in Indianapolis for a brief period and experienced their first live theater production, “My Fair Lady,” on their one-month anniversary.

Edwina and Chuck were stationed in Germany for three years and travelled throughout Europe and beyond. Some of her favorite destinations were Italy, Spain, Panama, and Africa.

Edwina and Chuck returned to Kalispell and welcomed daughters Patti (born in 1962) and Pam (1964).

After living in Beaverton, Ore., for three years, Chuck got a job with the Office of Aircraft Services (OAR), and the family relocated to Boise, Idaho, where they lived for more than a decade. There, Edwina became the first woman to be ordained as an Episcopal Priest in Idaho. She led the church in Mountain Home, Idaho, and the parish grew significantly during her time there.

Edwina and Chuck returned to the family home on Skidoo Lane in 1993 to help take care of her father, Ed. She served as the priest at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Polson for nine years. During her time, the congregation expanded over the years.

She celebrated hundreds of marriages, baptisms, memorials and more. She led Bible groups, made decorations for the church, and was a well-respected community leader. She also served the churches in Ferndale, Kalispell and Columbia Falls at different times in her service to the church.

Edwina had a great passion for adventure and travel. She loved downhill skiing and swimming. She was an excellent wife, mother, seamstress and knitter. Following retirement, Edwina loved spending time with her family at home.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Ed and Dorothy Seivers, and sister Dorothy.

Edwina leaves behind her loving husband of 65 years, Chuck Aker; her daughters, Pam and Patti of Polson; her brother, Bruce, in San Francisco; and several nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

A Celebration of Life will take place in June 2025, so her family members from across the country can come together to celebrate Edwina. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.