Martha L. Hershberger, Hesston
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February 27, 1927 - January 13, 2023
Martha L. Hershberger, 95, of Hesston, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023 at Schowalter Villa.
Martha Lucille Buckwalter Hershberger was born February 27, 1927 in Newton, Kansas to Earl and Florida Rose (Shank) Buckwalter.
She married Howard Hershberger on August 15, 1948 at the Pennsylvania Mennonite Church in rural Hesston, Kansas.
She was an accomplished homemaker and the mother of six children (including her first-born, Gwendolyn, a daughter who died in infancy).
One of her avocations was as a church musician. She led children’s and adult choirs throughout her lifetime and arranged music for the choirs and musical ensembles she sang in and directed. One of her arrangements was published in the 1992 Mennonite Hymnal. She also was the alto soloist for various community performances of Handel’s “Messiah.” At the end of her life, when it was difficult for her to speak, she could still sing along to hymns in a clear, alto voice.
Martha had an artistic nature, and always saw beauty around her. Once her children left home she turned to quilting as an artistic outlet, gifting her grandchildren with beautiful, original quilts and also donating numerous wall hangings and quilted works of art to Whitestone Mennonite Church, Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, Hesston College, Schowalter Villa and Mennonite Mission Network. She also wrote poetry throughout her lifetime.
Martha died peacefully in her sleep on January 13, 2023.
She is survived by her children John Hershberger of Windom, KS; Dan (Marla) Hershberger of Great Falls, MT; Philip (Diana) Hershberger of Topeka, KS; Faith (Tim) Penner of Harper, KS; and Beth (Mark) Goertz of Great Falls, MT; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law Esther (Ron) Graber of Goshen, IN; and two sisters-in-law, Grace Hershberger and Lois Buckwalter; of Goshen, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, one daughter-in-law, Chris Petrocci Hershberger; two brothers; two sisters; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.
A memorial service will be held at Whitestone Mennonite Church on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Whitestone Mennonite Church at 629 Crescent Drive, Hesston, KS. 67062.
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