Lucy G. Bontrager
Obituary
HESSTON — Lucy G. Bontrager, 58, was born on Oct. 30, 1953,
in Harper. She was the daughter of Emery and Joan (Ely) Gerber.
She graduated from Chaparral High School, attended Hesston
College, and later graduated from Goshen College with a degree in art
education. Lucy contained an amazing gift for taking the unseen or forgotten
and portraying life as something beautiful. This passion was apparent in her
art and life.
Lucy’s teaching career started in Arkansas City. She was
able to serve in Phoenix, Ariz., involved in a discipleship program. She went
on to teach in Beatrice, Neb., until later moving to Wichita, where she was the
art illustrator for the Wichita Zoo.
Lucy and Jerre came together in marriage on April 18, 1987.
They began their life together in Scott City, where Jerre farmed and Lucy
taught art and ESL in the Scott City school district. Lucy and Jerre were
blessed in many ways in their marriage, but their greatest joys are their two
sons, Jerod and Jordan. In 2003, the family moved from Scott County to Hesston,
where Lucy taught ESL in Newton. Lucy and Jerre were blessed with 25 years of
marriage.
Lucy was baptized at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in
1965 and also was active in Shallow Water Church in Shallow Water. After moving
to Hesston, she was active in Whitestone Mennonite Church, where she enjoyed
small groups, Sunday school, women’s groups and Overseer of Fellowship.
She loved to be around her family and friends. She always
was organizing activities to involve everyone. She loved to shop at thrift
shops with friends and would many times point out the shops to Jerre with the
best selections and prices.
She is survived by her husband, Jerre; their sons, Jerod of Harrisonburg,
Va., and Jordan of Hesston; parents, Emery and Joan Gerber of Hesston;
brothers, Jerry and wife, Pam of Harper; twin brother, Lynn and wife, Sue of
Beatrice, Neb.; sister, Jana and husband, Roger of Bemidji, Minn.; as well as
many nephews, nieces, three great-nephews and two great-nieces.
Lucy was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Sam and
Katie Bontrager.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Whitestone
Mennonite Church.
Burial will be in the Eastlawn Cemetery Friday, followed by
a celebration of life memorial service at 11 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the
Harvey County Homeless Shelter, in care of the Moundridge Funeral Home.
