Ladwig, Selma Jantz (1918-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Sep 3 p. 9

Birth date: 1918 Oct 20

text of obituary:

SELMA LADWIG

Selma (Jantz) Ladwig, 88, of Ponca City, Okla., died June 25, 2007. She was born Oct. 20, 1918, to Ferdinand and Anna (Friesen) Jantz on a farm near Inola.

She grew up on this farm, attended rural Highway Elementary School and graduated valedictorian in 1937 from Chouteau High School. She attended John Brown University at Siloam Springs, Ark., for two years. She received a life certificate to teach and taught in rural schools around Inola. In summers she attended Northeastern State College at Tahlequah until she graduated in 1945 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

She made a commitment to the Lord early in life and was baptized in May 1934 into membership at Eden Mennonite Church of Inola. She was involved in every phase of church work, especially in children’s work. She organized the first vacation Bible school, led children’s choir, was Sunday school superintendent and teacher.

Later she was active in Women in Mission. She loved music and sang in the choir and other ensembles. She remained a faithful member until her death and delighted children and adults with her wonderful children’s moments.

She married Emmett Ladwig on June 4, 1947. They built a home one mile east of Eden church on an 80-acre farm. That ended her teaching career except for substitute teaching. She sold the farm in 2000 and moved to Ponca City to be near daughter Vicki.

Survivors include two daughters, Vicki Rogers and her husband, John, of Ponca City, and Debra Hignite and her husband, Mike, of Eagle River, Ark.; a sister, Elvera Pankratz of Inola; a brother, Ted Jantz of Reseda, Calif.; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett, on April 22, 1990; a son, Roy Emmett Ladwig; four sisters, Dora, Hannah, Lena and Anna; and four brothers, Rudy, Alvin, Herman and Vic.