Marlene Stucky, born May 9, 1936, and Maynard Krehbiel, born November 8, 1935, grew up in the Moundridge community and were lifetime members of the Eden Mennonite Church. They became high school sweethearts after meeting on the back of a mule at a party. They were married in the Eden Mennonite Church on August 20, 1954, the summer Marlene graduated from high school. After honeymooning in Oklahoma, they moved to Denver, Co where Maynard served two years in 1-W alternative service. It was in Denver their family began to grow and their oldest daughter, Gail, was born. Speaking favorably of their experience in Denver, they learned about setting out on their own and managing on meager income. They also made life-long friends in Denver. While they occasionally stayed in touch with many of those friends, John and Gladys Reimer became like family and the families visited regularly throughout the years, even vacationing together.
Following their term of service, Maynard and Marlene moved back to the Krehbiel home place near Moundridge and began farming and operating a dairy. Their family grew as three more children were added; Wesley, Jennifer, and Clinton. Life on the farm was not easy and hardships befell them, but they persevered with faith that did not falter.
In the mid 1960’s they moved to a farm north of Elyria and continued to farm, milk cows, raise cattle, garden, cook, and raise their four children. They worked hard, but also knew the value of play and enjoyed participating in community plays, attending their children’s sporting events and programs, and short vacations. Maynard had a life-long love for horses; riders and drafters. This love for horses expanded their social life and they enjoyed making friends within the Amish community as well as riding through parades, participating in centennial celebrations using horses and horse-drawn equipment. The first Saturday in November was plowing day on the Krehbiel farm where other draft horse enthusiasts spent the day plowing a piece of land and enjoying a fellowship meal together.
As the children grew and began to leave the nest, Marlene returned to school and received her degree and began a career teaching German and English at Inman High School. Always a teacher, she taught Bible School, Sunday School; and she taught her children with patience and kindness; and by example.
Maynard and Marlene especially loved spending time with family and made many trips to wherever a family member was living. They welcomed and embraced each new member to join the family. Marlene made a point of not waiting too long to hold a new baby. Maynard engaged with his grandchildren by teaching them about horses, playing with them, and simply enjoying being with them. They loved each member of their family deeply.
As their health began to decline and caring for the farm became too much, they moved to Pine Village independent living in 2013. They enjoyed their home until 2019 when they again faced a move due to health issues and needing a higher level of care. A week before shutting down because of COVID-19 they moved to healthcare where they thankfully were able to still be together; one room a bedroom and the other their sitting room. They had spent over 66 years together and in December 2020, three weeks and three days apart, they went home. We are grateful for their lives and for the legacy of faith and love they left to carry on. They truly lived life fully and continue to do so for eternity with God who is always faithful.
Survivors include their children, Gail Graber of Moundridge, Wesley (Sheryl) Krehbiel of McPherson, Jennifer (Bob) Schrag of Galva, and Clinton (Shelly) Krehbiel of Lincoln, NE; ten grandchildren, Travis (Penny) Graber of Wamego, Nathan (Krista) Graber of Newton, Joseph (Heather) Krehbiel of Marquette, William Krehbiel of McPherson, Mary Schrag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth (George) Wipf of Mitchell, Manitoba, Canada, Ben Schrag of Hays, Madison (Devin) Dixon of Houston, Texas, Megan (Andrew) Johnson of Norman, Oklahoma, and Emma Krehbiel of Lincoln, NE; eight greatgrandchildren, Bailey, Brody, Elaina, Peter, Daniel, Hudson, Everette, and Liam; and Marlene is survived by her sister, Velera (Steve) Adams of Newton.
A service to celebrate both Marlene and Maynard will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Eden Mennonite Church. If you are unable to attend, the service will be available by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82058116392. Due to the generosity of those who donated at the time of their passing, there will be no memorial contributions or flowers requested.