Edna Guhr Stucky

1928 - 2026

Dec 30, 1928 - Feb 11, 2026

Edna Guhr Stucky was born in Marion County, Ks, on December 30, 1928, the 9th child of Birkholtz and Eva Goertz Guhr. She attended the Sand Creek #33 grade school for six years walking the 1/2 mile from their farm north of Walton. In 1938 her parents purchased a farm near Potwin, Ks, and she finished grade school in a small one-room schoolhouse there. She attended Burns High School for one year and then she was one of the first 16 students when Berean Academy started in Elbing in 1946.

Edna was baptized upon her profession of faith at the age of 17 by Rev. J. C. Kaufman at the Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater. She was thankful for his influence on her life and the part he played in her accepting God's gift of salvation.

It was at a youth party at the Burns Mennonite Church where Edna met Silas Stucky, and they attended services and youth activities together. All in God's plan they were married on August 26, 1948 at Emmaus. "Hitherto hath the Lord led us" (I Samuel 7:12) was their wedding and life verse as they depended on Him for wisdom and grace for every day.

Edna's love for music began when her many brothers and sister gathered with their mother at the piano or autoharp most every evening. Her brothers formed the Guhr Brothers Quartet and sang widely. She learned to play the guitar, autoharp, piano, and the pitch pipe.

Silas and Edna enjoyed farming all of their married lives, first in the Burns and Peabody areas and attended the Burns Church. In 1956 God provided a farm north of Elbing and this became their family farm for the next 53 years where they raised four daughters: Elaine, Bonnie, Nadine, and Diane. They attended Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing.

Daily morning devotions taught the girls much about faith. From the girls early years the family sang together as the Stucky Family Singers with Edna playing the guitar and Silas sharing devotionals as they gave programs in the area at nursing homes and jails.

On the farm many hands make light work and working together as a family brought many blessings. Wheat harvest was the highlight of the year and the daughters learned the skills to share in the work at an early age. She exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman as she met the needs of her family in every season.

Edna enjoyed sewing but quilting was her favorite. She embroidered and pieced many quilts, starting with the four girls, then the 15 grandchildren and then baby quilts for the 46 great grandchildren. Everyone is wrapped in love by her handiwork.

Edna was a mother to many and she offered hospitality to all 'round her table. She worked a few years as a janitor for the Elbing Grade School and she was a postmaster at the Elbing Post Office which sparked her interest in stamp collecting.

Edna wrote her life story from 1991- 2005 that she called "Our Family Blessings", recognizing God as the Provider of all things. What a legacy of faith and hard work, from God directing her ancestors to come to America to carrying on the faith and traditions of her Low German "Plautdietsch" Mennonite heritage, including delicious generational recipes.

In 2009 at the age of 82 Dad and Mom retired from working the land. It was a difficult decision but they felt God leading them on. He provided a house for them at the edge of Elbing where they lived for 10 years. They continued to attend the Zion church and the Elbing community held friendships that ran deep for decades.

In 2018 they moved to an independent apartment at Presbyterian Manor in Newton. There they enjoyed the church services, Bible studies, and dining with friends.

In 2020 the family renovated part of Mark and Diane's home into an apartment for them to come back home. Being with family and in the country meant so much. They spent much time with their large family and enjoying the Sunday dinners with Marks family with five generations gathered together.

In 2022 it was so difficult to lose Silas. They had shared their lives together for 74 years. Edna never had a harsh word for him nor complained. She was the forever optimist as an encourager to Dad and the girls. God's amazing grace helped her face lonely days but she longed for the day when she would join him in heaven and meet Jesus face to face.

The last few months became difficult and as more care was needed she spent time at Wheatstate Manor in Whitewater. Her impact there was a testimony of God's faithfulness. Many expressed their thankfulness for her cheerfulness, smiles, and her bold questions about their salvation. What an example that we all should follow. "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts". Ps 145:4.

Edna passed into the presence of her Savior on February 11, 2026 at the age of 97. She is survived by Elaine Schmidt, Bonnie & Stan Graber, Nadine Friesen of Canada, and Diane & Mark Veer. She has 15 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She is survived by three Stucky sisters-in-law, Ruby (John) Stucky, Nina Faye (Joe) Stucky, and Alice (Daniel) Stucky, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Silas Stucky, a great granddaughter Annabel Friesen, her parents. Birkholtz (BG) and Eva Guhr, all of her siblings and their spouses: Lydia Guhr, John and Velma Guhr, Dan and Velma Guhr, Sam and Linda Guhr, Rose and Dick Flaming, Arnold and Malinda Guhr, Otto and Martha Guhr, Jeannette Guhr, Adolf and Elda Guhr, and Milt and Ruth Anne Guhr.

The memorial service for Edna will be on Saturday February 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing with a lunch following. The burial will be prior at 9:30 a.m. at the Burns Countryside Church. Visitation will be the evening prior on Friday February 27, 2026 at Lamb Mortuary in Whitewater with the family greeting from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Gideons or to Berean Academy.