Neuenschwander, Ruth J. Grandlienard (1922-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Mar 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1922 Feb 26

text of obituary:

RUTH NEUENSCHWANDER

Ruth J. Neuenschwander, 84, of Berne, Ind., died Feb. 18, 2007, in Swiss Village Retirement Community, her home since 2001. She was born Feb. 26, 1922, to Charles and Marguerite (Hinchman) Grandlienard in Wells County.

She married Sherman Neuenschwander on March 6, 1947. He preceded her in death in 1994.

She was a French teacher in Adams County for 31 years, retiring in 1987 from the South Adams Schools. She led students on five tours of France during her career. She was a member of First Mennonite Church in Berne, a longtime Sunday school teacher, a member of numerous church committees and a member of the Women in Mission group, serving as president for two years.

She also served many years as her congregation’s reporter to Mennonite Weekly Review.

She was among the founders of the Swiss Heritage Society in Berne, an organizer of the Wabash Township Cloverleaf 4-H Club, a trustee of the Adams County Museum in Decatur, a precinct committee member in Wabash Township and a member of the Wabash Township Advisory Board.

Over the past 20 years, she donated more than 200 of her hand-knitted sweaters to the Michiana Relief Sale.

Survivors include two daughters, Marjean Beck of Findlay, Ohio, and Linda Vybiral of Lecanto, Fla.; three sons, Robert Neuenschwander of Decatur, Ned Neuenschwander of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and Stan Neuenschwander of Marion; three brothers, Fred Grandlienard of Bluffton, Ind., Kenneth Grandlienard of Celina, Ohio, and Joe Grandlienard of Phoenix, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman; and a brother, Brooks Grandlienard.

A memorial service was held at First Mennonite Church. Burial was in the MRE Cemetery, rural Berne.