t.html

<script type="text/javascript"
  src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.8.3.min.js"></script>

<script type="text/javascript">
  function editUser(evt) {
    userid = $(evt.target).parent().parent().attr('id');
    console.log(userid);
  }
</script>

<div id="foo">
  <div id="userid1" class="user">
    <span class="controls">
    <a href="javascript:;" title="Edit User" class="edituser"
      onclick="editUser(event);" >Edit</a>
  </div>
</div>