Wiest, Katherine Elizabeth Buxman (1909-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Jul 22 p. 12

Birth date: 1909

text of obituary:

KATHERINE E. WIEST

Katherine Elizabeth (Buxman) Wiest, 93, died May 19, 2002, in Reedley, Calif. She was born March 10, 1909, to Carl and Maria (Weber) Buxman in Windsor, Colo. Her parents came to the United States in 1902 from the German settlements on the Lower Volga River near Saratov, Russia.

She grew up in Colorado and in 1929 married William Walter Wiest. She was valedictorian of her Johnstown, Colo., high school class and was awarded a scholarship to Colorado State Teacher's College in Greeley. In 1934 they settled in the Reedley area.

Her parents were devout Volga German Lutherans in Russia, and as a youngster she was confirmed in the German Congregational Church.

Later the family joined the Mennonite Brethren church in Loveland, Colo., where she was baptized became a member.

She worked for a few years as a nurse's aide at Pleasant View in Reedley and for several years as a teacher's aide in the Cutler/Orosi schools. She was an avid gardener, belonging to the Orosi Garden Club. She was a member of the National Arbor Society and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.

She was a member of Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church, where she and her husband served as deacons for many years.

She enjoyed writing letters and continued active correspondence with family and friends for many years. She lived happily at Palm Village Retirement Community during the last years.

Survivors include four children, Adena Warkentin of Reedley, William of Portland, Ore., Raymond of Winnipeg, Man., and Kathryn Sytsma of Farmington, Maine; two brothers, Albert Buxman of Dinuba and William Buxman of Reedley/Parlier; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Walter Wiest; two sisters, Marie and Esther; and two brothers, Samuel and Fredrick.