Wilma E. Leichty

Wilma E. (Ewert) Leichty, 88, died on December 15, 2013, at The Gables (Greencroft Healthcare) in Goshen, Indiana. She was born March 23, 1925 in Hillsboro, Kansas to Henry S. and Carrie (Nickel) Ewert. After her father completed studies at Tabor College, the family moved back to Mountain Lake, Minnesota where she lived most of her childhood years. Following her mother's death when Wilma was 3, she grew up with a beloved step-mother, Emma (Boese) Ewert. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Alden Ewert. Surviving are two sisters, Annette Dick, Mt. Lake, Minnesota, and Elinor Kliewer (Hillsboro, Kansas), and one brother and his spouse, Calvin and Marian Ewert, Lodi, California, and one sister-in-law, Wilma Ewert, Reedley, California. Wilma grew up and became a follower of Christ in the Mennonite Brethren Church. Following studies at Tabor College, she took nurses training at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, Kansas. While working at the hospital, she met Civilian Public Service worker Clarence Leichty. Following the war, they each decided to finish their bachelor's degrees at Goshen College where she graduated with a BSN in 1949. They were married August 23, 1949 in Reedley, California. Clarence preceded her in death on February 25, 2012. Settling in Elkhart, Indiana, Wilma and Clarence raised three children, all of whom survive along with their spouses: Paul and Twila Leichty, of Goshen; Bruce and Kathy Leichty of Escondido, California; and Cheryl and Ronald Blaum of Goshen. Five grandchildren and one spouse also survive: Nathan Leichty of Middlebury, Indiana; Renita and Matthew Marjan of Lombard, Illinois; Julian Leichty of Sacramento, California; John Leichty of Pasadena, California; and Timothy Blaum of Goshen. Wilma worked as a receptionist and administrative assistant at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center and Youth Services Bureau in Elkhart during the 1960's and '70's. She was an active member of Prairie St. Mennonite Church in Elkhart and also served on the boards of HOME (Home Ownership Means Equality) and Church Community Services. As neighbors to their denominational seminary (AMBS), she and Clarence enjoyed extending hospitality to students and guests. Following Clarence's retirement as an elementary school administrator, the couple moved to Goshen and became members of College Mennonite Church where visitation will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2:00-4:00 p.m. and Monday, December 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30, at 4:00 p.m. According to her wishes, her body will be cremated and her ashes scattered in the College Church Memorial Garden. Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregational Accessibility Network (CAN) or Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).