Voth, Elmer (1909-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 July 23 p. 2; 2004 July 24 p. 2

Birth date: 1909 Dec 26

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Aug 9 p. 12

text of obituary:

ELMER VOTH

Elmer Voth, 94, of North Newton, Kan., died July 21, 2004, at Kidron Bethel Retirement Home. He was born Dec. 26, 1909, to Cornelius H. and Lizzie Sperling Voth in Hamilton County.

He graduated from Moundridge High School. He had been a farmer and carpenter in rural Inman, moving to North Newton in 1972.

On Aug. 16, 1936, he married Linda Annie Ediger in rural Inman. She died Nov. 4, 1997.

He was a member of Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, where he was baptized, and he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and as a song leader. In later life he attended Bethel College Mennonite Church of North Newton.

Throughout his life, he designed and crafted gifts of wood for special occasions for his family until the last few months of his life.

He crafted furniture for churches, Bethel College and Kidron Bethel.

Survivors include two sons, Eugene and his wife, LaDonna, of Newton, and Stanley E. and his wife, Donna, of Topeka; a daughter, Elizabeth Friesen and her husband, Duane, of North Newton; a sister, Eleanor Ediger of Inman; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosalie Voth Schmidt; two brothers, Milton and Irvin; a sister, Verna Buller; and a great-grandson, Matthew Cole Schmidt.

A graveside burial service was held at Hoffnungsau Cemetery of rural Inman. A memorial service was held at Bethel College Mennonite Church.