Guengerich, L. Glen (1909-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Feb 28 p. 8

Birth date: 1909 Apr 14

text of obituary:

L. GLEN GUENGERICH

L. Glen Guengerich, 95, of Harrisonburg, Va., and formerly of Kalona, Iowa, died Jan. 24, 2005, in his home after a lengthy illness. He was born April 14, 1909, to Elmer J. and Magdalena (Yoder) Guengerich near Centralia, Mo.

He moved to the Kalona area with his family when he was 6 years old. He graduated from Kalona High School and earned bachelor's degrees in biology education and English from Goshen (Ind.) College and a master of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Iowa.

He married Allie Davison of Wayland, Iowa, Feb. 27, 1943, in Chicago. The couple lived in the Kalona area until 1999, when they moved to Harrisonburg.

He was a teacher and coach from 1932 to 1977. He taught physical education at Goshen College, taught science and literature and coached at Wayland High School, and he taught all elementary subjects at Prairie Dale School, Hazel Green School, Solon, Evergreen, Brush, Pacific Summit and Middleburg country schools. He finished his teaching career by teaching Bible, science and literature at Iowa Mennonite School.

He was a member of East Union Mennonite Church, where he served as superintendent and taught Sunday school for many years. He also served as the church historian. After moving to Virginia, he attended Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

He loved music and sang with college choruses and the Kalona Gospel Singers. He enjoyed the arts and was both a painter and writer, painting more than 100 oil paintings. In 1984, his book Our Goodly Heritage, a history of the Mennonite church in general and a celebration of East Union's centennial, was published.

Survivors include his wife, Allie Guengerich of Harrisonburg, Va.; five children, Lowell and his wife, Susan, of Harrisonburg, Elaine Miller and her husband, Verlin, of Bristol, Ind., Galen and his wife, Beverly, of Telford, Pa., Annette Ritter and her husband, Eugene, of Harrisonburg, and Audrey Baylor and her husband, Corydon, of Richmond; a brother, Paul T. Guengerich of Harrisonburg; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Gingerich; and two brothers, Willis Guengerich and Edwin (Jack) Guengerich.

Services were held at East Union Mennonite Church of rural Kalona. Graveside services were in East Union Cemetery.