Selma Jost
Selma Groening Jost, 89, daughter of Franz F. and Maria (Unruh) Groening, was born July 18, 1912, at Lehigh. She attended Lehigh Elementary School and graduated from Lehigh High School in 1930. She taught elementary school for five years in rural Hillsboro areas.
On April 28, 1935, she was married to David M. Jost. They had six children: Thelma Ann, Glenna Marie, LaVonne, Gene David, Muriel, and James Philip.
The Josts established a home in Wichita. In 1936 they moved to Hillsboro where they owned a bakery for a short time. Later, they again returned to Wichita.
Her husband went into the ministry in the 1940s, at which time they moved to Omaha, Neb., for schooling. Selma took night classes at Grace Bible College to be better equipped to help her husband in ministry.
On Aug. 1, 1948, the family moved to Tahlequah, Okla., and worked as missionaries for the "Go Ye" Mission. Selma helped with teaching classes and singing with her husband.
Her husband later served for 24 years as chaplain for the State Training School for Boys in Oklahoma. They moved to Cherokee, Okla., where Selma worked as a legal secretary for 18 years.
When her husband retired, they moved to Marion. During their retirement years they worked at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., and later helped manage the Fawn Valley Inn in Estes, Colo. They served as cooks and child caretakers for a couple in Vail, Colo. The Josts also housesat for Ginny and Dick Olson in Denver, Colo., for many years, establishing a strong friendship with that family.
In her later years, Selma enjoyed bowling in a Marion league and also enjoyed singing with the "Singing Grannies."
On May 13, 2001, she became a member of the Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Selma was an avid gardener and especially enjoyed raising irises.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David; daughters Glenna Marie and Thelma Ann; son Gene David; and son-in-law, Lorry Johnson.
She is survived by her daughters LaVonne Calam and husband Carl of Hillsboro and Muriel Plamondon and husband Mike of Denver, Colo.; son James Jost and wife Sharon of Omaha, Neb.; sister Bernice Thies; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday afternoon at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion, with the Rev. John Goering officiating. Vocal music was provided by Greg Carlson with Anita Brookens at the organ.
Burial followed the service at the Gnadenau Cemetery, Hillsboro.
Casket bearers were Nate Faul, Carla Faul, Richard Calam, Joni Calam, Tracey Calam, Jeffrey Plamondon, and Kevin Plamondon. Honorary bearers were Wade Johnson, Wendy Johnson, Jason Jost, Jenny Jost, and Sonja Jost.
Memorial funds have been established with the Eastmoor United Methodist Church and Marion Manor.
