Abrahams, Ethel Grace Ewert (1923-2016)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2016 Aug 1 p. 15

Birth date: 1923 Aug 3

Text of obituary:

Ethel Abrahams

Ethel Grace Ewert Abrahams, 92, of Hesston, Kan., died July 5, 2016. She was born Aug. 3, 1923, to Gerhard and Helena Peters Ewert in Hillsboro.

She was baptized and joined Hillsboro First Mennonite Church in 1938. She received degrees in art from Bethel College (bachenlor's) and from Wichita State University (master's).

On Sept. 26, 1944, she marred her high school sweetheart, Norman E. Abrahams.

She worked as a secretary to put Norman through optometry school in Chicago. When they settled in Hillsboro, she enjoyed being an "at home mom" during her children's formative years. She volunteered with the Mennonite Library and Archives, Kauffman Museum and Wichita Art Museum. She and Norman did several short-term projects with Mennonite Central Committee in Akron, Pa., and in North Carolina. She accompanied Norman on a number of international eye projects with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity. She served on the boards of Hillsboro Public Library, Kansas Women's Association, Kauffman Museum, Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale and Bethel College Women's Association. In 1980, she researched and published the book Frakturmalen and Schoenschreiben: The Fraktur Art and Penmanship of the Dutch-German Mennonites While in Europe 1700-1900. After relocating to North Newton in 1988 at age 65, she embarked on an exceptional quilting career, creating more than 200 exquisite quilts. Her passion led to research, writing and lecturing about crazy quilts, tobacco silks and vintage doll quilts.

She and Norman joined Bethel College Mennonite Church in 1989. The next year, they received the Bethel College Outstanding Alumni Award. She enjoyed reading, gardening and traveling, including participation with friends in many Elderhostel trips. Several years after Norman died, she moved to Kidron Bethel Village, then later to Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

Survivors include three children, Nan Graber and her husband, Don, of Monument, Colo., Dwaye Abrahams and his wife, Ruth, of rural Newton, and Nadine Abrahams and her husband, Norm Epp, of Lakewood, Colo.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; and a son, David.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note: Hillsboro, Kansas
Daughter of Gerhard D. and Helena (Peters) Ewert (wife 2)
Married Norma E. Abrahams 1944, Hillsboro
Kansas artist, quilt maker, Hillsboro, North Newton, Kansas

Bethel alumni note: Bethel College BA 1967|

Photo holdings:
see Norman E. Abrahams (1923- ) for photo with husband
Individual -- BC Teacher Placement files
Individual -- 1967

Sources:
BC Teacher Placement files 1997