Rupp, Marie Flaming (1909-2005)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2005 Dec 31 p. 2

Birth date: 1909

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Jan 9 p. 11

text of obituary:

Writer, polio survivor dies at 97

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Marie Flaming Rupp, a writer and former longtime resident of Moundridge, Kan., believed to be one of the country's oldest survivors of polio, died Dec. 26. She was 97.

She wrote for Kansas newspapers, including Mennonite Weekly Review, while raising two children, providing extra income for the farm family. Her stories often features ordinary people with extraordinary abilities. She studied journalism by correspondence from the University of Kansas.

Her struggle with polio began in 1911 at the age of 2. Her parents — Peter Flaming, minister of Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church at Inman for 60 years, and his wife, Agnetha — took her by horse and buggy to rub doctors to see if they could get her to walk.

In 1924, doctors in Kansas City did experimental muscle transplants that allowed her to walk for a number of years before having to use crutches, a brace and finally a wheelchair. She was featured at an orthopedic convention and in a medical textbook on early transplants. She wrote several articles on how swimming provided good exercise for her.

After graduating from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., in 1933, she worked for the City of Chicago as a social worker during the Depression and attended the University of Chicago.

In 1947, she married Carl H. Rupp, a wheat farmer and former county agricultural agent in Ulysses, Kan. They were married in Liberal,Kan., where she was county welfare director and a juvenile court officer. She also did social work in Elkhart, Kan., and was a medical caseworker and head of patient admissions at the University of Kansas Medical Center School.

She once wrote: "Though struck down with polio, this earthen vessel holds treasure — I am whole. Braces, crutches and wheelchair cannot rob me — I am significant. . . . My life is a challenge to boldly glorify Jesus — I am committed. On my Lord I depend and joyfully praise Him — I am radiant. God, my creator, sustainer, protector, in Him I rejoice — I am what I am."

Rupp frequently attended Mennonite conferences, most recently the Mennonite Church USA convention in Atlanta in 2003, where she was honored as the oldest participant at age 94.

"Never live all to yourself, ad put god first," she said. "He will reward you."

Thirteen years ago she moved to Denver, where she attended First Mennonite Church. Services were held there and at West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge.

She was preceded in death by 14 siblings; her husband; and a son, John Edward, who died at the age of 18 months.

Survivors include daughter Carla of New York City, son Larry of Arvada, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.