Risser, Ella (1912-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Apr 21 p. 3

Birth date: 1912 Jun 4

text of obituary:

SISTER ELLA RISSER

Ella Risser came to brighten the home of Ephraim and Mary Risser, nee Horst, on June 4, 1912, near Peabody, Kansas. She was the first born in the family.

When Ella was about six years old, the Lord called her mother home to be with Him, leaving four little ones without a tender mother's care. Ella had three sisters: Ethel, now at home in Hesston; Beulah, who preceded her, having been called Home in 1938; and Margaret, now Mrs. Robert Thaxton of Gallipolis, Ohio. These sisters had one brother, Eldon, who lives in Denver, Colorado.

Excerpts from a paper written by Ella twenty years later give us a picture of her experiences in life, and we present this as her story.

"I can recall those days very vividly in my mind as a sad experience for my father. Four years later, my father was married to Emma King, We had a very good stepmother. She always felt it her duty to teach and care for us the way our own mother would have. We made our home at Hesston, Kansas.

"At the age of twelve, Jesus called me into His fold. I was happy to know my sins were washed away. I loved the precious promises in His Word and put my trust in Him. I was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite church. I graduated from the Hesston Academy in 1932.

"As I grew older, I was anxious to serve the Lord and others. I felt the Lord wanted me to serve as a nurse. I was rather undecided where to go for training. My stepmother urged me to go to Bethel. I have thanked the Lord many times for this step. In 1933, I entered the school of nursing education at Bethel Deaconess Hospital. Those three years were the happiest years of my life, even though there were many difficulties and hard work. What a wonderful opportunity one has to testify for the Lord in this field of service and to lead others to Him.

"After graduation, I worked on general duty in the hospital in Goessel for eleven months. I prayed that the Lord would lead me into some definite field of service. I had no definite place in view. I simply trusted Him, and told the Lord I was willing to go where He wanted me to go.

"While studying and praying about what I should do, the way opened for me to join the Sisterhood at Bethel; of course, I felt that was the Lord calling me. With much prayer and thought, I was willing to say yes to the Lord. What a satisfaction and peace of heart to know where He wants His children. Although the way is not always easy, we can be happy in Him. With this wonderful promise and many others, I know He will never fail or leave us. Psalm 32:8. 'I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye' ”

That was Sister Ella's testimony in 1937. Since then, she has rendered ten years of service as anesthetist and operating room supervisor, and now she has entered as the dove to its ark of rest, sweet rest.

On Sunday evening, March 27, she had planned on going to the evening services, but slipped away for a little rest and while resting in her parental home, she was called to her heavenly home. What a revelation of the grace of our Lord!

May we so live that He shall be glorified through our lives and that we shall be ready to go unto Him when He calls us to our heavenly home.