Esch, Barbara Maust (1905-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Oct 17 p. 20

Birth date: 1905 Sep 9

text of obituary:

BARBARA MAUST ESCH

Barbara Maust Esch, 100, died Sept. 24, 2005, at Glencroft Retirement Community, Glendale, Ariz. She was born Sept. 9, 1905, to Joseph and Lydia (Hochstetler) Maust near Springs, Pa.

As an infant she moved with her family to Pigeon, Mich., where she grew to maturity with her parents and 11 siblings. She was a baptized member of Pigeon River Mennonite Church.

In 1924, she married Henry D. Esch, a chiropractor in the Pigeon community. They had four children, who accompanied them when they moved to Phoenix in 1947. She, her husband and children were active members of Sunnyslope Mennonite Church. Later, Henry was one of the founders of Glencroft Retirement Community, and together they moved to Glencroft in 1978 and resided there until their deaths.

She was known as a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She was considered an excellent quiltmaker. Her quilts were prize-winning and highly sought after at the Glencroft benefit sales. She was also a recreational oil painter. She enjoyed painting, along with her quiltmaking, during her retirement years.

Survivors include a brother, Joe Maust of Pigeon, Mich.; four children, Lelia Esch Schlabach of Phoenix, Victor Esch of Arvada, Colo., Boots (Beulah) Esch Raber and her husband, Merrill Raber, of Newton, Kan., and Myrna Esch Schmidt and her husband, Howard Schmidt, of Wolcott, Colo; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, in December 1996; a son in law, Abe Schlabach; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Weaver Esch; and a grandson, John Schlabach.

A family graveside service was held at Resthaven Park Cemetery in Glendale. A memorial service will be held at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church of Phoenix in November.