Gering, Edna Waltner (1902-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 30 p. 12

Birth date: 1902 Feb 2

text of obituary:

. . .

Former Instructor Passes

Mrs. Edna Gering, former instructor in piano, and a widely known in this community, passed away after a seven month illness. There is scarcely a person in this community that has not felt Mrs. Gering's influence either as a teacher or friend. Her interest in the school will be absent from us but the spirit in which she taught and worked will remain forever.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Aug 6 p. 3

text of obituary:

MUSIC TEACHER AND WRITER CALLED BY DEATH AT FREEMAN

Freeman. S. D.—Funeral services were held at the Bethany Mennonite church here July 21 for Mrs. Edna Gering, wife of Oscar Goring, who died at the Freeman hospital after an illness of seven months.

Mrs. Gering was well known here as a music instructor and writer. She formerly taught piano at Freeman Junior College. In recent years she served as a reporter for daily and weekly papers, often contributing feature articles from the Freeman community.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Aug 27 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. EDNA WALTNER GERING

Mrs. Edna Gering, daughter of Andrew J. and Catherine Wedel Waltner, was born at Moundridge, Kansas, on February 2, 1902. At the age of three months she came with her parents to Freeman, South Dakota, where she spent nearly all her adult life. Here she attended the grade schools and the high school and then two years at Bethel college, Newton, Kansas, where she majored in music.

On November 12, 1916, she was baptized by Rev. J. M. Regier, and received into the membership of the Bethany Mennonite church, remaining an active and faithful member to the end of her life. Her marriage to Oscar Gering took place June 15, 1926, Rev. Elmer Basinger officiating at the ceremony.

The hospitality and happiness of her home, and her devotion to her husband endeared her to the many friends and guests who through the years had the privilege of going in and out of her place. For ten years Mrs. Gering was a teacher in public schools; first at Hartford, and then at Freeman. Music was an important interest in her life. She was well-read in the class of best-sellers hooks. For 17 years she accompanied the Messiah given annually by the Swiss Choral Union, and for many years she gave private instruction on the piano. For two years she served on the faculty of Freeman Junior college as instructor in piano. She was a gifted writer and her news items and feature articles appeared frequently in our church papers as well as in the daily papers in nearby cities.

Her life, devoted to many good causes in the community, and always interested in serving others, was lived without ostentation and in simple taste. Her desire was that her funeral arrangements would likewise be simple, without any extravagancies [sic]

She became ill with a light stroke while attending church service on the last Sunday in November, 1952. While there was hope for recovery at times, she nevertheless continued to fail and passed away at the Freeman Community hospital Saturday morning, July 18, at the age of 51 years, five months, and 18 days. She leaves to mourn her passing, her bereaved husband; her aged mother, Mrs. A. J. Waltner; four brothers, Richard I. Waltner of Freeman, Clarence Waltner of San Diego, Calif., John O. Waltner of Fresno, Calif., and Ray Waltner of Culver City, Calif.; besides a host of other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Bethany Mennonite church Tuesday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m., the pastor, Rev. Lester Hostetler, officiating.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Aug 11 p. 496