Alma L. Ewert

Alma L. Ewert, 89, died at Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, Kansas, on July 25, 2017.  She was born on October 6, 1927, to Joseph Allen and Anna (Umholtz) Hershberger.  During her childhood the Hershberger family lived on a small farm just south of Zimmerdale.  Alma attended a two-room elementary school north of Zimmerdale.  The Family attended the Pennsylvania (now Whitestone in Hesston) Mennonite Church north of Zimmerdale.  Alma attended Newton High School and graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1945 when the family moved to the Sedgwick area.

Alma married Vernon Baker on March 17, 1946.  They moved to Newton where Alma took a job as a teller at Kansas State Bank.  After working there for 14 years, she resigned to devote full time to being a mother and homemaker when she and Vernon adopted a baby boy.  Later they adopted another boy and two girls.

Soon, Alma also became the administrator of a small print shop in their garage, doing printing for the mobile home manufacturing industry, while Vernon worked at the U.S. Post Office.  The venture was successful, but very demanding of time and effort.  The print shop was closed and the printing equipment sold.

The Bakers then decided to start a service preparing income tax reports.  Again, the converted garage space was used for the work area.  Along with being a mother and a homemaker, Alma became the administrator and organizer for the service while Vernon continued to work full time.  This venture, too, was successful until Vernon became terminally ill and died of cancer.

After Vernon’s death, Alma became a volunteer for the Harvey County Hospice as a companion and caregiver for hospice patients in their homes or hospital.  She also volunteered for the American Cancer Society, soliciting funds door-to-door and organizing fundraising activities.

On April 7, 1984, Alma married Marvin Ewert and became a stepmother to his two grown sons and their wives and a grandmother to their children.

Alma enjoyed being a homemaker, gardening, quilting, and community service.  She made 18 baby quilts, one for each grandchild, and five full sized bed quilts.

In 1986, Alma became a member of the First Mennonite Church of Newton, where she served on the Dinner and Social Committees.

Alma was preceded in death by her late husband’s Vernon and Marvin; her daughter, Jana; her parents; three brothers, Richard, Kenneth and Carl; two sisters, Doris Jones and Bonnie Jantz.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Gregory and Teresa Baker of Tulsa, Okla., and Anthony and Ronda Baker of Newton; a daughter, Connie and her husband Dr. Brian Roadhouse of Tulsa, Okla., brother Joe Hershberger and wife Mary of Hesston, Kan.; a sister, Virginia Davidson and her husband Jerry of Sedgwick, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Joan Hershberger of Sedgwick, Kan.; a brother-in-law, David Jones of Little Rock, Ark.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; stepsons Warren Ewert and wife Joleen of Bartlesville, Okla., and Dr. Brian Ewert and wife Kathleen of Marshfield, Wis.; and a step-grandchild.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 1^st at the First Mennonite Church of Newton.  A graveside committal service will be held prior to the service at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 1^st at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.  A visitation is scheduled on July 31^st from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.  The family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to greet friends and family

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the following organizations:  First Mennonite Church, 429 E. First, Newton, Kansas 67114 and the American Cancer Society, 330 S. Main St., Wichita, KS. 67207or other charitable organization of choice. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.