Ediger, Elsie Esau (1911-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jan 28 p. 3

Birth date: 1911

text of obituary:

Two Women Die As Hutchinson Store Explodes in Flames

Hutchinson, Kan. — An explosion and fire in the Home Furnishing building of Wiley's Inc., Hutchinson department store, last Sunday morning claimed the lives of two store employees. Dead are Mrs. Curt Ediger, 59, of Buhler and Mrs. Alta Moshier, 56, of Hutchinson.

The two women were working on the second floor toward the front of the two-story building when an explosion near an overhead furnace at the rear of the store sent flames racing through the structure. With no possible way of escape, the victims apparently died of heat and suffocation. Their charred bodies were found about two hours later.

About 100 employees of the firm were taking inventory in the store and the main building adjoining when the fire hit. The Home Furnishing building was gutted, with loss estimated at around $200,000, and nearby store sustained heavy smoke damage.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ediger were held Wednesday forenoon at the Hebron Mennonite church, with Rev. Curt Siemens and Rev. Kenneth Shelly in charge.

The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Feb 16 p. 108