Edith E. Pike, 99, of Austin, passed away at Sacred Heart Care Center on Jan. 3, 2010, where she had been a resident for the past seven years. 
Edith was born Dec. 22, 1910, in a farm house in Grand Meadow Township to Clayton and Clara (Probst) Cox, the older of two girls. She attended school in Dexter through the ninth grade and graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1928.  After attending Normal College, she became a teacher. She taught several years before marrying Harold R. Pike who was a widower with eight children. To this marriage, five more children were born. When her youngest child turned five, Edith returned to teaching in Myrtle, which had all eight grades. When Myrtle School consolidated with Glenville, she taught first and second grade until her retirement in 1975. Edith’s husband died suddenly of a stroke in 1956.
Her children were of utmost importance to her, and she delighted in spending time with them. She attended church faithfully until failing health would not permit it any longer. She was a charter member of Fellowship United Methodist Church, active in Eastern Star, Eagles Auxiliary, Senior Center and numerous other organizations over the years. She was also the oldest living member of Fellowship United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her children, Joanne Maxfield of Austin, Charleen (Richard) Reed of Austin, Clayton (Carol) Pike of Billings, Mont., Glen (Marlene) Pike of Billings, Mont., Dean (Janice) Pike of Adams; step-children, Donald (Norma) Pike of Austin, Donna (Eindred) Karlsgodt of Alexandria, Delma (William) Wade of Chattanooga, Tenn., Violet (Bion) Hendersen of Goleta, Calif., Lois (Harold) Davis of San Diego, Calif., Raymond Pike of Isle, Edith (Donald) Zabel of Wells; 31 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-grandchild, making six generations. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister; two granddaughters; two daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; one great-grandson.
Casket bearers will be Thomas Pike, Michael Pike, Donald Schocker, Jerry Maxfield, James Maxfield, Justin Maxfield, John Maxfield, Jacob Maxfield and Matthew Cochlin. Honarary bearers will be Jeffery Maxfield, David Schocker, Andrew Pike, Byron Pike, Corey Pike, Ed Pike and Kevin Pike.        
Erin Schumacher will be the soloist and Marilyn Sabin will be the organist.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at Fellowship United Methodist Church with Pastor Dennis Tamke officiating.  Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment is at Grandview Cemetery. 
Worlein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.