Esau, Elma E. (1917-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Dec 7 p. 9

Birth date: 1917 Sep 14

text of obituary:

ELMA E. ESAU

Elma E. Esau, 92, of North Newton, Kan., died Nov. 16, 2009, at Kidron Bethel Village. She was born Sept. 14, 1917, to Edward and Clara (Claassen) Esau near Whitewater.

She was a lifelong member of Emmaus Mennonite Church. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1935 and attended Bethel College for two years.

Prior to World War II she was a school teacher for two years in Logan County and two years in the Whitewater community. She then served with Mennonite Central Committee as a refugee relief worker. She volunteered, worked and lived in Europe, South America, Canada, the United States and Lebanon until 1967, when the Six-Day War between Israel and Arab states forced the closure of the Menno Travel Service Beirut office.

She graduated in 1969 with a bachelor of arts degree in history from Bethel College. She continued her work as a travel agent for MTS, leading tours to many places in the world from the Akron, Pa., office until 1981. She was affiliated with Akron Mennonite Church. She then moved back to her family’s farm, living with her brother Victor until 1991. She then moved to Kidron Bethel Village. She was active in the Remington Area Historical Society.

She traveled in more than 70 countries, was an artist, photographer, painter, woodworker, author, translator, historian, lifelong student and teacher, storyteller, independent woman, advocate for all refugees and for peace in the Middle East, and had a special love for Lebanon.

Survivors include two brothers, Elbert Esau and his wife, Zola, of Newton and Paul Esau of Jackson, Minn.; and eight nieces and eight nephews; and many grand-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three siblings, Harold, Victor, and Ruth Marie Esau; two sisters-in-law; and two nieces.

Memorial services were held at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton. Inurnment was in the Emmaus Mennonite Church Cemetery of Whitewater.