Emma Shetler

 

Emma Mast Shetler was born November 5, 1928, in rural Kalona, IA, the daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Schrock) Mast. She died on October 3 in her home in Kalona due to complications from a fall she sustained in August.
    Emma attended Middleburg School and studied at Johnstown Bible School near Holsopple, PA. She was married to Harley Shetler on December 14, 1952. Emma and Harley raised eight children. She was a woman of deep faith, demonstrated in her prayers, love of scripture, and acts of service. They gardened organically and practiced reduce, reuse and recycle long before it was admired. In her fifties, she began working at Pleasantview as a housekeeper, retiring from there when she was 82. She was a member of Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Kalona for many years where she and Harley were custodians for over 30 years. Emma enjoyed gardening, reading and visiting family and friends.
    Survivors include her eight children: Marnetta (Jerry) Bradford of Shavertown, PA; Arnold (Linda) Shetler of Plain City, OH; Leonard (Rose) Shetler of Goshen, IN; Elaine (Merle) Miller of San Antonio, TX; Philip Shetler of Mechanicsburg, OH; Stanwyn (Beth) Shetler of Wellman, IA; Elroy Shetler of Kalona and Merlin Shetler of Kalona; 18 grandchildren: Brendan Bradford (Aide Cuenca); Brittany Bradford; Aaron (Megan), Ami, Linette and Luke (Mary) Shetler; Darren, Kara, Jordan (Rachel Lanctot), and Blake Shetler; Liliana and Sophia Miller; Thaddeus, Phoebe and James Shetler; two great-grandchildren: Elianna Shetler and Simon Shetler. Also surviving are sisters-in-law: Clara and Ruth Ann Shetler, Mary Jane (Ed) Miller, Alta Yutzy, Katie Ann Shetler, Penny Shetler, and Janet Shetler; brother-in-law, Vernon Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
    Emma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harley, in 2014 at the age of 87; her siblings and their spouses: Henry (Wilma and Hazel) Mast, Gertrude (Joe) Hostetler, Ora (Mattie) Mast, Freddie Mast; Harley's siblings and their spouses: Paul (Dorothy) Shetler, John (Mildred) Shetler, Dennis Shetler, Raymond Yutzy, Lena Miller, Albert Shetler, and Philip Shetler.

A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Kalona. Burial will be at Fairview Mennonite Church Cemetery, Kalona. Visitation will be Friday, October 6, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 then 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Yoder Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Christian Aid Ministries. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Yoder Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is caring for Emma and her family.