Long-time EMU Housekeeper Dies

Edith V. Wenger, 88, died Aug. 19, 2007, at Oak Lea Nursing Home in Harrisonburg.

Ms. Wenger served 34 years in housekeeping services in the physical plant department at Eastern Mennonite University. She retired in 1981.

“Edith was a steady, quiet, dependable worker with a wry sense of humor that surprised you,” said C. Eldon Kurtz, director of physical plant. “She was most gracious to me as a young physical plant director coming into the job [in 1977], no small task,” he added.

<img width="150" height="200" src="http://www.emu.edu/news/images/edithwenger.jpg" alt="Edith V. Wenger"

She was born Apr. 2, 1919, at Wenger’s Mill in Edom, Va., and was a 1937 graduate of Eastern Mennonite School.

Upon retirement, she became one of the first residents at Heritage Haven apartments at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. She moved to Oak Lea in January 2004.

Survivors include a sister, Mildred Wenger Plank of Harrisonburg; five nephews, four nieces, nine great-nephews and 10 great-nieces. She was a sister to the late Linden M. Wenger, professor emeritus of philosophy, who taught at EMU and at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, 1955-78.

A memorial service was held Aug. 23 at Lindale Mennonite Church north of Harrisonburg where she was a member, with burial in the Lindale Church cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Compassion Fund, 1501 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg VA 22802.