Mennonite Weekly Review - April, 2003
Obituaries are emailed to MennObits before MWR is printed. Wording may vary in printed version.
Mennonite Weekly Review - April 7, 2003 - 81st Year, No. 14 - p. 11
Erb, Leonard William
Leonard William Erb, 93, of
West Point, Neb., died Feb. 26, 2003.
He was born July 29, 1909, to Christian and Barbara (Oswald) Erb
at O'Neill.
He attended school near O'Neill before moving with his family
to Wisner, where he attended Cuming County Rural School District
#39.
He was baptized in the Mennonite church and was a member of Beemer
Mennonite Church.
On June 12, 1938, he married Lillian Nitzsche at Plum Creek Mennonite
Church of rural Beemer.
He was employed by W.W. Frankfurt in West Point as an electrician.
After the Rural Electric Association provided electricity to rural
customers, he wired houses and farmsteads. He operated Erb Electric
and Appliance in West Point for more than 50 years before retiring.
He was one of the caretakers of the Amish-Mennonite cemetery near
O'Neill. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing his
fiddle, working in his shop and gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Lillian; five children, Barbara Wyse
and her husband, Ronald, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Mary Detweiler
and her husband, Joe, of Newton, Kan., Doug and his wife, Mary,
Dorothy Suhr and her husband, Larry, and Lenny and his wife, Julie,
all of West Point; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wilford and Menno; and
a grandson in infancy.
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Hunsberger, Gladys B. Yoder
Gladys Barbara Hunsberger,
90, of Batavia, Ill., formerly of Glen
Ellyn, died March 25, 2003. She was born Feb. 17, 1913, to Samuel
and Sally Yoder in Columbus, N.D.
She graduated in 1930 from Surrey (N.D.) High School and in 1934
from Wesley Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Chicago.
She married Harvey S. Hunsberger on July 23, 1939, in Chicago.
She worked as a nurse in Chicago and in Wheaton, where they moved
in 1951. She was a member of the Mennonite church in Lombard,
where she served as a Sunday school teacher, secretary, librarian
and pastoral team member for many years. She enjoyed teaching
English as a second language to many of her neighbors seeking
American citizenship. She moved to Glen Ellyn about 1979, where
she spent many hours as a volunteer for Cross Cultural Crafts,
now Ten Thousand Villages, which supports fairly-traded merchandise.
She moved to The Holmstad retirement home in Batavia in 1996.
Survivors include two sons, Gerald Hunsberger and his wife, Marcia,
of Espanola, N.M., and Kurt Hunsberger and his wife, Bobbi, of
Elizabeth City, N.C.; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter;
a sister-in-law, Edna Yoder, of Batavia; and a brother-in-law,
Lloyd Hunsberger of Cleveland, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey S. Hunsberger,
in 1975; and by her two brothers, Floyd and Durbin Yoder.
Memorial services were held at The Holmstad.
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Zehr, Velma K.
Velma K. Zehr, 88, of Eureka, Ill., died March 7, 2003, at Maple
Lawn Health Care Center. She was born Aug. 2, 1914, to Peter and
Louisa Sutter Zehr in Deer Creek.
She worked for Morton Pottery for 29 years before retiring in
1979. She then worked for Tazewell Publishing Co. for eight years.
She was a member of First Mennonite Church of Morton. She was
a volunteer at the Eureka Et Cetera Shop and was active in the
mission work of Mennonite Women.
Survivors include a brother, Milton Zehr of Morton; and three
sisters, Fannie Zehr, Mary Zehr and Doris Yoder, all of Eureka.
She was preceded in death by two brothers.
Funeral services were held at First Mennonite Church, and memorial
services were held at Maple Lawn Homes. Burial was in Pleasant
Grove Cemetery of Tremont.
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Risser, Eldon M.
Eldon M. Risser, 80, of Greeley, Colo., died March 28, 2003, at
home under the care of Hospice of Northern Colorado. He was born
Sept. 3, 1922, to Ephriam and Emma (King) Risser in Newton, Kan.
On Aug. 15, 1943, he married Luella Yost in Greensburg, Kan.
He graduated from Goshen (Ind.) College in 1945, majoring in theology.
In 1945 they moved to Denver, where he served as the controller
at Maplecrest Industries. He worked as an accountant for various
companies in Denver and Greeley until his retirement in 1984.
He was the music director at First Mennonite Church in Denver
for several years. He was then elected congregational leader for
Glennon Heights Mennonite Church in Lakewood and also served as
music director there. He directed and sang in many choirs and
male quartets. Most recently he was a member of the Greeley Chorale.
His greatest joy in life was caring for his wife and family.
Survivors include a daughter, Phyllis Stutzman of Kansas City;
a son, Jim of Greeley; four granddaughters and a great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Luella, on Aug. 18, 1998.
Memorial services were held at First Mennonite Church of Denver.
Burial was in the Columbarium at First Congregational Church in
Greeley.
Mennonite Weekly Review - April 14, 2003 - 81st Year, No. 15 - p. 15
Mandel, Leona Pauline Miller Bare
Leona Pauline Miller Bare Mandel, 82, of Kalona, Iowa, died March
21, 2003. She was born Aug. 15, 1920, to Jacob P. and Emma Mae
Yoder Miller of Kalona.
She attended Snake Hollow rural school and graduated from Kalona
High School in 1938.
She taught school for one year before marrying Melvin Bare on
June 8, 1941. The couple lived and farmed in the Kalona area for
many years. He died in 1966. She then married Jacob (Bill) Mandel
on Nov. 5, 1971, in Kalispell, Mont. They lived in Montana until
his death in January of 1986. She then returned to Kalona and
lived there until her death.
She was a lifelong member of East Union Mennonite Church. She
was also a member of Mountain View Mennonite Church in Kalispell
during her years there. She taught Sunday school and Bible school.
She had a great sense of humor and this made her an enjoyable
person to be with. Making beautiful quilts was a pastime that
gave her and her family much pleasure. Leona appreciated all her
family and friends and loved visits from her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
Survivors include a son, James Bare and his wife, Lois, of New
Haven, Conn.; a daughter, Judy Goodrich and her husband, Robert,
of Wellman; a brother, Chester Miller of Hesston, Kan.; four
grandchildren
and seven great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husbands, Melvin Bare and Bill
Mandel; a brother, Lawrence Miller; and a sister, Eldora Preston.
----------------------
Gingerich, Dorothy Ella Lais
Dorothy Ella (Lais) Gingerich, 85, of Hubbard, Ore., died March
9, 2003. She was born Jan. 22, 1918, to Daniel and Ellen (Egli)
Lais, in Hubbard. She lived her entire life in the Hubbard area.
She married Vernon Joseph Gingerich on April 18, 1943. She graduated
from Hesston (Kan.) College in 1951.
She reflected her Christian beliefs in the way she lived her life
as a loving wife, mother, homemaker and young children's Sunday
school teacher. Throughout her life, she exemplified unconditional
love. The many family, friends and neighbors that frequently graced
her home are a testament to her hospitality. Her favorite saying,
"Whatsoever things are lovely, think on these things,"
reflected her nurturing and peaceful nature. While she loved all
children, she was most fond of her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Vernon; nine children, Raymond
and his wife, Barbara, of Austin, Texas; John and his wife, Louise,
Thomas and his wife, Jeanette, and Carolyn Gingerich, all of Hubbard;
Douglas and his wife, Gloria, and Dorothy Brenneman and her husband,
Tom, both of Canby; Charles and his wife, Sheryl, and Craig and
his wife, Jana, both of Aurora; Judy Gingerich of Vernonia and
honorary daughter Urszula Balenkowski of Hubbard; five sisters,
Evelyn Birky and Marjorie Birky of Kalispell, Mont.; Vera Garber
of Hubbard; and Frances Hoover and Ruth Zehr of Goshen, Ind.;
18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a granddaughter; two brothers, Frank
Lais and John Lais; and six sisters, Lilly Berkey, Mary Kenagy,
Celestia Lais; Susan Stanerson; Lena Blair and Orpha Fisher.
Mennonite Weekly Review - April 21, 2003 - 81st Year, No. 16 - p. 11
Goering, Ralph W.
Ralph W. Goering, 74, of Champaign, Ill., died April 2, 2003,
at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born July 13, 1928,
to Henry J. and Mary Kauffman Goering in Moundridge, Kan.
He married Carmen M. Camacho on Dec. 11, 1948.
He graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., in 1951
with a bachelor's degree in biology and from the University of
Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras in 1958 with a doctorate in medicine.
He studied at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan., and the University
of Washington in Seattle.
He was an instructor at the University of Washington and an assistant
professor at Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem,
N.C., and at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He was in
private practice in obstetrics and gynecology in Champaign from
1969 to 2000.
He was a private pilot and ham radio operator. He enjoyed motorcycles,
photography, classical music and the arts.
Survivors include his wife, Carmen; a son, Bryan of Effingham;
two daughters, Carol Moravec of Belvidere and Myra Perkins of
Waycross, Ga.; two brothers, Ellis and Oswald Goering, both of
Moundridge; three sisters, Ada Goering of Neodesha, Kan., Martha
Ford of Uniontown, Kan., and Kathryn News of Drexel Hills, Pa.;
eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Memorial services were held at First Mennonite Church of Champaign.
---------------
Bitikofer, Clifford Lawrence
Clifford Lawrence Bitikofer, 74, of Hesston, Kan., died April
8, 2003, at Schowalter Villa after a bout with cancer. He was
born Dec. 6, 1928, to Fred and Martha (Loucks) Bitikofer at rural
Canton.
He grew up on a farm and attended Hesston Academy and one year
at Hesston College. He served with Mennonite Central Committee
as a truck driver out of Akron, Pa., for two years. He then was
in 1-W alternative service for two years at Topeka State Hospital.
He was baptized and joined Spring Valley Mennonite Church of Canton.
He married Elizabeth Bartel on July 28, 1955, in Meade.
He worked as a cabinet maker at Gerden Industries in Newton and
at Skyline Factory in Halstead for a few years, then as a carpenter
for several contractors for more than 20 years. He was mill-room
supervisor at Kropf Lumber in Hesston for 14 years. After retirement
he worked at Cross Wind Conference Center as a groundskeeper and
volunteered at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston.
A member of Hesston Inter-Mennonite Church, he was a devoted Christian
who enjoyed serving. He volunteered yearly at the Kansas MCC relief
sale and often assisted through Mennonite Disaster Service, serving
several years on the executive committee of Kansas MDS.
He enjoyed working outdoors and respected God's creation. He liked
woodworking, yard work, metal-working and creating things. He
loved music, played a harmonica and sang in the Kansas Mennonite
Men's Chorus. He was a loyal husband and dedicated father.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; four children, Kathleen
Neff and her husband, Dana, of North Newton, Lynette Stoeppler
and her husband, Andy, of Shafter, Calif., Kristine Griffioen
and her husband, Joe, of Belmond, Iowa, and Mervin and his wife,
Cathy, of Manhattan; four brothers, Leroy of Canton, and Ralph,
Allen and Henry, all of Hess-ton; a sister, Stella Sommerfeld
of Hesston; and 16 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Eugene Ray; three brothers,
Franklin, Melvin and Paul; and a sister, Mabel.
Funeral services were held at Hesston Inter-Mennonite Church.
Burial was in Spring Valley Mennonite Church Cemetery.
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Müller, Rudi
Rudi Müller, 76, died
March 21, 2003, in Enkenbach/Pfalz,
Germany. He was born March 8, 1927, in Kirchheim-Bolanden/Pfalz,
Germany. On Nov. 20, 1956, he married Friedel Dohm. She preceded
him in death in May 2000.
As Pax came to Enkenbach in spring of 1953, so did Rudi Müller
come to Pax. A school teacher, he showed interest in and compassion
for the young Americans, many of whom were away from home for
the first time, and who appreciated assistance in adjusting to
everything new in their lives. There was a new culture in new
surroundings, and for most a new language, and for all a new regimen
of living as a unit and working as a team. He spent practically
every weekend involved with some of the Pax workers, going places
and doing things.
By the time Pax involvement in Enkenbach ended in 1962, nearly
200 Pax workers were touched by Rudi Müller. He had become
active in unit activities and specifically with the Enkenbach
Pax choir. When later it became the Enkenbach Mennonite Church
Choir, it was under his direction for some years. He was also
organist in a nearby community Catholic church. Later, he was
honorary president of the Enkenbach Mennonite Chorus.
His love was close to unconditional. This is the way many of us
knew him.
On Nov. 30, 1956, he joined the Enkenbach city council, where
he remained until his death, the last 14 years as a dedicated
and much- loved mayor. Under his leadership, the communities of
Enkenbach and Alsenborn merged. His efforts produced a partnership
with the French community of St. Mihiel. He was involved with
and held numerous positions and offices in local, county and state
politics, while remaining untied politically when it came to youth
and their activities in sports organizations.
His influence from the mid-1950s pioneered the establishment of
partnerships of youth organizations in France, England, Greece,
Turkey, Israel, Japan and China. He led the German delegation
to the Munich Olympics, and was Olympic Village Mayor in Los Angeles
and Seoul, South Korea.
Survivors include two sons, Michael and Georg.
Mennonite Weekly Review - April 28, 2003 - 81st Year, No. 17 -p. 12
White, Allen A.
Allen A. White, 90, of Hesston, Kan., died April 15, 2003, at
Schowalter Villa. He was born Aug. 27, 1912, to Elmer J. and Sadie
(Byler) White in Newton.
He married Edna Horst in September 1936 in Peabody. She preceded
him in death on April 10, 1982. He then married Esther Kuhns on
April 16, 1983, in India. She preceded him in death on Oct. 14,
2000.
He was an engineer and inventor, having nearly 50 patents to his
credit. He was employed with Hesston Corp. for 25 years, retiring
in August 1977.
He was a member of Whitestone Mennonite Church of Hesston and
directed Lakeside Mennonite Camp in La Clede, Mo., for 10 years.
He was an ordained minister in South Central Mennonite Conference
and served in the pastorate at Spring Valley Mennonite Church
of rural Canton, First Mennonite Church of rural Burns, and the
Christian Church of Peabody.
He was a gifted man. He helped build equipment and machinery with
his family and was always willing to help others.
Survivors include five sons, Donald and his wife, Sally, of Chevy
Chase, Md., Ivan and his wife, Twyla, of Hesston, Roger and his
wife, Sherry, of Newton, Darwin and his wife, Theresa, of
Hendersonville,
Tenn., and Virgil and his wife, Diane, of Newton; a daughter,
Colleen White of Elkhart, Ind.; a brother, Dale of Newton; three
sisters, Neva White of Manhattan, Elsie White of Hesston and Erna
Jantz of McPherson; 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Edna and Esther; four brothers,
Warren, Clem, Calvin and James; and two sisters, Gladys Zook and
Mary Wenger.
Memorial services were held at Whitestone Mennonite Church. Burial
was in Catlin Community Cemetery of rural Peabody.
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Penner, Herman R.
Herman R. Penner, 89, of Wichita, Kan., died March 20, 2003. He
was born Oct. 20, 1913, to Jacob E. and Anna (Rempel) Penner on
a farm outside of Hillsboro.
His father died when he was 4 years old, and his mother died when
he was 15. After his mother's death, he went to live with his
sister Olga and her husband. He was baptized into the Brudertal
congregation north of Hillsboro. He attended Hillsboro Bible Academy
for a year. He graduated from Hinton High School in Hinton, Okla.
On Dec. 18, 1937, he married Mary Stelting in Cordell, Okla. They
lived together for more than 65 years.
During much of his life he worked at farming, but he also worked
as a mechanic, aircraft worker and school custodian. They moved
to Wichita in 1953, when he worked for Boeing Aircraft Co. He
retired from Boeing after 17 years. He went on to work for the
Wichita Board of Education for five years.
He was a member of Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita.
He was active in the choir for many years and served as janitor
and later on the cemetery committee. At the church's annual fall
festival, he could usually be found in the kitchen stirring the
borscht. He enjoyed stamp collecting, working in his garage, gardening
and growing flowers.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; a son, John and his wife, Joan
Penner, of Fall River; five daughters, Mary Broker of Wichita,
Ruby Penner of Santa Ana, Calif., Betty McOmber of Scio, Ore.,
Ruth Fanning and her husband, Don, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and
Kay Hodges and her husband, Frank, of Warthen, Ga.; a sister,
Linda Enns of North Newton; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren
and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Clyde Penner, and a daughter,
Elsie Mae Penner.
Funeral services were held at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church.
Burial was in Old Mission Cemetery of Wichita.