Twilla Mae Schrag

Twilla Mae Schrag 1937-2025

Twilla Mae Schrag was born March 6, 1937, at home near the Alta Mill in western Harvey County to Daniel J and Adina M (Stucky) Schrag and died on April 28, 2025, at the age of 88. She grew up on a farm four miles west and 5 1/2 miles south of Moundridge. Growing up with 4 brothers, it didn’t matter that she was a girl. She had to do chores just like the boys. She had to milk the cows and gather the hen eggs. She also learned to play basketball and baseball.

Twilla attended Liberty grade school and graduated from Moundridge High School in 1955. During grade school she would walk the 1 ½ miles from their home with her brothers. Only when the weather was at its worst, would her dad hitch up the horses to the corn crib wagon to take them to school and pick up other school aged children along the way.

Following high school Twilla found work in Newton at Max’s Café located near the Harvey County Courthouse. She worked there for a year until she and Delmer were married.

Twilla and Delmer met on a double date set up by Twilla’s cousin. Delmer and Twilla started dating when Twilla was a sophomore in high school. They were married on March 7, 1958, at Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge. Delmer was completing his alternative service at a Topeka hospital which is where they lived the first 6 months of their marriage. Following that they moved to Newton where they began building their current home. Twilla worked at Randy’s Steak Factory until Keith was born in 1969.

After Delmer’s 25 years of working in the D.M.H. trailer factory, it closed, and Delmer and Twilla started the business of D&T Toys. Delmer, Twilla and Keith began going to farm shows, fairs, toy shows and train shows selling farm toys. Twilla helped set up the booth and then assisted customers. She also served as the bookkeeper for the business. They traveled around Kansas and surrounding states of Colorado, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Iowa selling toys for over 40 years.

When Twilla wasn’t helping with toy shows she enjoyed gardening and caring for her flowers (roses were some of her favorite), and piecing quilts. She worked on restoring an old quilt she had pieced with her mother. She also loved to tune in to Gospel radio stations listening to many Bible teachers.

Twilla’s faith was important to her. She came to know Christ as her Savior when she was a sophomore in high school. She had grown up in a Christian home with her parents being an influential part of her spiritual life. Bible reading, devotional reading and prayer were important parts of her family life which she carried on with her son, Keith. Delmer & Twilla attended First Mennonite Church in Newton until Keith was born and then began attending Newton Bible Church. Twilla’s advice to the women of Newton Bible Church was to make sure to have a quiet time with the Lord and a Bible study with husband and family.

Twilla was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel & Adina Schrag; her husband, Delmer Schrag; and brothers, Roland, Kenneth (Glenna), and Edwin Schrag.

She is survived by her son, Keith; brother, Gerry (Wanita) Schrag of Hesston; sister in-law Betty Schrag of Moundridge and Judy Rich of Hillsboro; brother-in-law Dennis (Pamela) Schrag of Wichita and sister-in-law Esther Schrag of Inman, and many other extended family and friends.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Newton Bible Church on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The family invites family and friends to a light lunch and time of fellowship following the service. Memorials honoring Twilla may be made to Newton Bible Church.