Edna Mae Knust Graehler, 91, Louisville

Edna Mae Knust Graehler, 91, died on Sunday, April 6, 2025. She was born on Oct. 29, 1933, in Jasper, Ind.

Edna earned her nursing degree from St. Mary’s Nursing School in 1954. After working as a registered nurse for two years at St. Mary Hospital in Evansville and Jasper Memorial Hospital, she gave up her career to give loving care to her seven children.

She was a deeply faith-filled woman who was a powerful prayer warrior to countless people who crossed her path. She was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where she served her parish as a Eucharistic Minister and was called to take Communion to the sick at Baptist East Hospital on a weekly basis for many years.

She was a sewing expert, using her talent to create blankets for children in hospitals. She was also a huge University of Louisville basketball fan and loved to play cards and meet for dinner with her friends, swapping stories about her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose birthdays she remembered with cards and gifts.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Al; parents, Albert and Josephine Knust; her brother, Bobby; her sister, Betty; her grandson, Brandon Kelly Barth; and her great-grandson, Zachary Wood.

Survivors include children, Ann Flaherty (Mike), Donna Medley (Tim), Mick Graehler (Mary), Mary Barth (Brandon), Randy Graehler (Karen), Susie Wood (Tim), and John Graehler (Cindy); 24 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly and brought her great joy; her sister, Patty (Art), her sister, Susie, and her brother, Mike (Debora).

Edna will be remembered most for putting others first by pouring out her love gently, generously and humbly. She epitomized selfless, sacrificial Christ-like love that brought forth and nurtured life in her family, friends, church and community.

Edna’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 508 Breckinridge Lane. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Highlands Funeral Home, 3311 Taylorsville Road.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to her favorite charities, The Piarist School in Hagerhill, KY and KY Right to Life.