Parkview ladies continue the tradition
Staff writer
Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting quilting groups in area churches and in the community.
The Parkview Mennonite Brethren ladies sewing circle struggles with the same issue as the Ebenfeld ladies — trying to get younger women involved in learning the art of quilting.
Looking back on the sewing group's history, the group has no formal record of its beginning because of the fire that destroyed their former church in 1956. The congregation was formerly known as the Gnadenau Mennonite Brethren Church and was located about three miles south of its present location.
It is only through the memories of those current and former members of the group that the history of the sewing circle has been preserved.
Some of the older members such as Rubena Bartel and Marie Jost started quilting around 1943.
"I remember meeting in homes before we met in the church," Rubena said.
"And we sewed pieces of clothing to send to the missionaries," Marie said.
"Back then it was expected of everybody to be a member of the sewing circle — that's how I got started," Marie said.
Now, the group averages about 8 to 10 in attendance each time they meet. Of those who attend regularly, the years of quilting span from 1943 to 1995.
The ages of those present were 88, 86, 85, 80, 80, 79, 77, and 74.
"They are one of the kids," Lorene said, jokingly, speaking of those women who were in their 70s.
The group meets from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. about seven days a month and quilts through the summer months.
The group members' former occupations vary from homemaker to teacher.
Most said they took up quilting after they retired from their jobs or careers.
Helen Schmidt and Marie Jost were former teachers, as well as Leona Koslowsky, who taught for 10 years and then worked as a nurse's aide for 20 years.
Evelyn Ens was a bookkeeper in her husband's medical practice and a registered nurse, as well as owner of a craft and frame shop. Lorene Jost was a dietitian and "almost finished college at age 60."
Other members are Lola Soyez who served in the mission field in Columbia, Mexico, Edna Spinks, who still works part-time as a cashier at her daughter's pharmacy, and Rubena who worked in the Tabor College cafeteria.
Lola who serves as quilting chairperson said, "I started quilting while I was in Columbia doing mission work because I needed something to do."
Edna, who is a member of the Southern Baptist Church in Hillsboro, calls herself a Mennonite Baptist. She joined the group nearly eight years ago.
"I'm perfectly at ease here with these ladies," Edna said. "The money we make quilting goes to missions, and I'm glad to be a part of it — it's a contribution I can make."
"Edna is an inspiration for us all," Leona said of her fellow group member.
The group does quilts for others as well as for the MCC sale in Hutchinson. They are currently working on their fourth quilt.
Besides quilting, the group prays for its missionaries each time they meet, Leona said.
Many of them said they have had many "good" quilters who have been in their group in the past.
Members wanted to honor those women who have been a part of the quilt group by mentioning the names of those who have died or those who are no longer able to quilt and now live in the nursing home.
Those still living are Helen Thiessen, Mary Thiessen, Helen Jane Klassen, Lillian Plett, Hilda Thiessen, and Wilma Epp.
Those who are deceased include Luella Jost, Helen Hiebert, Selma Friesen, Hannah Willems, and Lillie Heinrichs.
The group members gave several reasons for why they still quilt.
"I enjoy the fellowship around the quilt, and the proceeds go to missions," said Lola, along with several others.
Evelyn said she enjoys the crafts and looking at the outcome.
"It's a bonding type of work," she said.
Most did say that quilting is hard on the back, shoulders, and neck.
"We get up for a coffee break after every hour and a half," Rubena said.
When asked what could be done to get younger women involved in quilting?
"Good question," Leona, who is president of the church's women's ministry, said.
"We've tried to get a few started, but there were so many other things they have to do," several of the women said.
Many said that some of the younger women are working and are too busy with family and their jobs. Others said that the younger women have many more choices of other things to do than they did as young mothers.
A few conceded that they did not become involved in quilting until after they had retired from their jobs, so they understood the younger women's dilemma.
But Lola summed up the group's determination, "We have to get more people inspired to try quilting and to get younger people involved."
All agreed.
