Nellie S. Rempel, 82, Manhattan, passed away Feb. 2, 2011, at Good Shepherd Hospice House, because of complications following a recent surgery.
She was loved by her immediate and extended family, including members of her church and her many friends at Meadowlark Hills retirement community, and will be greatly missed.
Nellie was born May 28, 1928, in Goessel, the daughter and youngest child of the late Gertrude and Isaac Schmidt.
Nellie attended Goessel Rural High School, where she was valedictorian of her graduating class, received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Bethel College, and later a master’s degree from Kansas State University.
In the spring of 1951, she married Paul L. Rempel and moved to Hillsboro. The family moved to Manhattan in 1962.
She was a charter member of Manhattan Mennonite Church and served the church in many capacities including elder and council member.
Nellie was a music and elementary school teacher, most recently at St. George Elementary School. She was awarded a State of Kansas Special Education Traineeship in 1967. Nellie belonged to the Music Education National Conference and the Kansas Early Childhood Education Association. In 1984, she was invited to join the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and served this chapter for may years. In 1989, Nellie was selected as Master Teacher for USD 323 (West Moreland-St George).
Survivors include four daughters, Trudy Rempel and her husband Richard Schulz of West Des Moines, Iowa, Laura Klocke and her husband Richard of Lawrence, Lisa Rempel and her husband Kevin Bertrandt of Phoenix, Ariz., and Audrey Hunter of Portland, Ore.; two sons, Terry and his wife Sara of Manhattan and Don of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Matilda Schoeder of McPherson; and eight grandchildren.
Nellie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; three sisters, Elva Bartel, Esther Haefke, and Clara Schmidt; and a brother, Jacob Schmidt.
A memorial service was 1:30 p.m., Saturday, at Manhattan Mennonite Church, 1000 Freemont St., Manhattan.
A celebration of her life will be in the spring. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Manhattan Mennonite Church or Manhattan Public Library in care of the funeral home.
Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit http://www.irvinparkview.com.