Mennonite World Review - October 2017
Obituaries are emailed to MennObits before MWR is printed. Wording may vary in printed version.
Hochstetler, Orlin ; . . Kauffman, Robert Allen ; . . Neufeld, Lila Penner ; . .
Mennonite World Review - October 9, 2017 - 95th Year, No. 21 - p. 19
----------------------
Kauffman, Robert Allen
Robert Allen Kauffman, 88, of Seattle, Wash., died Aug. 9, 2017. He was born June 14, 1929, to James and Mabel Erb Kauffman in Newton, Kan.
He was known to many for his ability at the piano. He received his bachelor’s degree at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan., his master’s degree at Indiana University at Bloomington, Ind., and his doctorate in ethnomusicology at UCLA, in Los Angeles, Calif. He began his musical career teaching music and conducting choirs at Woodstock School in Musoorie, India, for four years.
After this term of service he spent five years doing extensive research in African music and helped develop indigenous music for the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. After completing his postgraduate work he then served as ethnomusicologist for a number of years on the faculty at the University of Washington and then at the University of Pittsburgh. This was followed by a successful sales career in health and life insurance. During this time he was also engaged as music director and pianist in several churches, both in Pittsburgh and Seattle. Throughout his many varied world experiences and changes of career, his wife, family, and his spiritual journey became his foremost priorities.
Survivors include his wife, Thelma, of Seattle; a daughter, Gloria of Tucson, Ariz., and Vedano, Italy; and three sons, Stephan (Maria Saez) Kauffman of Abbotsford, B.C., Philip (Maria Guadalupe) Kauffman of Bellevue and Marcus Kauffman of Seattle.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois Roth and Melva Kauffman; and a brother, Daniel Kauffman.
-------------------
Neufeld, Lila Penner
Lila Neufeld, 84, of Mountain Lake, Minn., died Sept. 25, 2017. She was born June 20, 1933, to Anna (Teichroew) and Peter I. Penner on a farm near Mountain Lake.
Her childhood language was Low German. She graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1951. In 1955 she graduated from Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Neb. She also attended Mountain Lake Bible School and Mankato State Teachers College and taught for two years at Mountain Lake Christian Day School. After this, she went to Gulfport, Miss., serving one year in Mennonite Voluntary Service as a Christian education teacher of African American students. This MVS effort was a “quiet demonstration” that supported the emerging civil rights movement. In 1957 while in Gulfport, she met a young seminarian from Chicago, Ernest W. Neufeld. They were married Aug. 31, 1958, at First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake.
Together with him, she served Mennonite congregations in Summerfield, Ill.; Philadelphia; Allentown, Pa.; Phoenix; Freeman, S.D.; Fargo, N.D.; and Meridian, Miss. Music and faith in God were integral parts of her life. She contributed her gifts as pianist, organist, choir director and choir member to every church community. Her leadership skills were used in education committees and as a Sunday school teacher. She was an avid reader, loved games, quilting and doing puzzles with her children and grandchildren. Providing hospitality, caring for her flowers and garden, and cooking and baking for family were a source of joy.
Survivors include her children, Randy (Susan Geil) Neufeld, Laurel Neufeld (Paul) Weaver, Sheryl (Rodney) Fast and Rachel (Albrecht) Neufeld-Schultze; a sister, Esther Fast; a brother-in-law, Robert Coon; a sister in-law, Edith (Steve) Michalovic; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; a sister, Verna Penner; two brothers, Melroy Penner and Alton (Luella) Penner; a brother-in-law, Peter A. Fast; and a niece, Luanne Fast.
Services were held at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake. Burial was in Mountain Lake City Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Mennonite Voluntary Service.
Mennonite World Review - October 23, 2017 - 95th Year, No. 22 - p. 15
---------------------
Hochstetler, Orlin
Orlin Hochstetler, 86, of rural Williamsburg, Iowa, died Sept. 15, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He was born Jan. 3, 1931, to Earl and Mary (Kraybill) Hochstetler in Kalona.
He graduated from Iowa Mennonite High School and worked in Iowa for one year until attending Hesston (Kan.) College for one year. During the Korean War, he served his 1-W term in Colorado State Mental Hospital and in Denver General Hospital from 1952 to 1954. On April 17, 1954, he married Lores Brenneman at East Union Mennonite Church.
After 1-W, they moved back to Iowa to farm and milk cows. They sold the farm, and he worked at Procter & Gamble as a process technician for 35 years, retiring in 1991. They lived in Coralville for seven years. In 1968 they bought a farm in the Irish Hills. He had a herd of registered Angus cows. They enjoyed having all their children and grandchildren nearby and attended concerts, football games and community activities. He and Lores traveled extensively, going to Colorado every year.
They were active at First Mennonite in Iowa City for many years. He and Lores were involved with the Iowa Mennonite Economic Development Associates chapter, and he served on the international MEDA board for six years.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lores; three children, Kim (Cheri) Hochstetler of Tiffin, Kathy Lippold of Parnell and Kirk (fiance Karen Gaffey) Hochstetler of Tiffin; two sisters, Arlene Miller and Mary (Keith) Brenneman; a brother, Dale (Lucille) Hochstetler; two sisters-in-law, Marvel Hochstetler and Glenis Hochstetler; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Roger Hochstetler; and a brother-in-law, John Miller.
Services were held at First Mennonite Church of Iowa City.