Farewell to Mom

Edna's Story

Edna Benner Styer slipped away peacefully on April 15, 2009, at the age of 84 in her residence at the Souderton Mennonite Homes. She and her husband E. Kermit Styer had recently observed their 63rd wedding anniversary in March, 2009.

Born in Souderton on January 4, 1925, as the 8th child in a family of 10 children, she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Leanna M. (Yoder) Benner. (Two older brothers died in early childhood.)

Edna's parents were strict, orderly, and hard-working. Church and home were at the center of their family life together. Edna attended school thru the 12th grade in Souderton public schools. Walking the mile to Souderton High School in any kind of weather was a familiar story. Edna did well in school, studying hard, and spending time with her friends. She was third highest student in her graduating class. That achievement required a memorized speech at graduation, and Edna always grimaced when she recalled the embarrassing moment when she forgot some of her lines.

For a number of years after graduation she worked at Souderton Hosiery Mill, where her father was her foreman. During that time she caught the attention of the love of her life, Kermit Styer. Kermit had left for CPS shortly after they met, but they carried on their courtship from a distance while he was serving at Hagerstown, MD. Not knowing when World War II would end, and having dated for three years, they decided to marry in March, 1946. After the wedding and a honeymoon to Niagara Falls, Kermit returned to CPS and Edna continued to live at her parents' home. Fortunately, the war ended a few months later, and Kermit returned to his new bride.

The newlyweds took up residence with Kermit's father and grandmother in a rowhouse on Diamond Street in Souderton. Being one of two cooks in the kitchen wasn't always easy for Edna, but in her unselfish manner she found a way to make it work.

In a few years, Kermit and Edna moved to their own place on Chestnut Street where they lived for a number of years until Grandmother died, at which time they moved back in with Kermit's father. Edna then had to learn how to share her household with her father-in-law. Because he wasn't a Christian until late in life, and did not attend church, Edna and Kermit were concerned about how that might affect their children.

Five children were born into their family over a period of nine years. A stillborn child that came later was a painful loss for Edna and took a long time to heal. She cared for her young family with every ounce of energy she had, and with great resourcefulness and creativity. Always frugal, she was an avid gardener and preserved lots of food from a very large garden, sewed most of the dresses and shirts for her children, and generally knew how to stretch every penny. With careful budgeting she and Kermit sent their children to Franconia Mennonite School (now Penn View) and Christopher Dock.

She taught her daughters how to sing alto while washing the dishes, with the hymnbook propped on the windowsill.

As a mother, she always encouraged, but never pushed; she expected good behavior, and spanked when nothing else worked, or the offense was too great to ignore. She worked hard, never sitting around. Some of her children presented more of a challenge than others, but her love and patience always prevailed. An open relationship with her children was always more important than winning an argument.

Early in their marriage, Kermit and Edna accepted the call to help plant the new church in Finland where they continued to attend for many years. They have been members for the last twenty years at the Souderton Mennonite Church, where Edna served as an elder, a member of the visitation council and a youth advisor. She was active in many sewing activities, particularly the MCC School Kit and Health Kit Projects, and served as director of the Hatfield branch of the Needlework Guild of America. She made hand-stitched quilts for her grandchildren, and the one she was working on at the time of her death will be completed by Merrill Clemmer.

After the children were grown and out of the home, she worked for a number of years at
Pennview Christian School as a kindergarten helper. She also volunteered for many years at the
Rockhill Mennonite Home, changing the bed sheets for the residents, bringing love and cheer
to each one as she went from room to room .

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are five children:

James Styer and his wife, Beth, of Telford, have two sons, Michael and Andrew. Michael and his wife Cate, and their son, Henry, live in Palo Alto, California. Andrew lives in New York City.

Mary Styer Schrock and her husband, Floyd, live in McMinnville, Oregon, and have three children: Peter lives in Pasadena, California; Jonathan lives in Bend, Oregon; daughter Susan Ellis and her husband Mark and their two sons, Eli and Curren, also live in Bend.

Lois Styer Halsel and her husband, Gary, live in Hellertown with their two children, son Ben and daughter Laura;

John Styer and his wife, Judy, of Framingham, Massachussetts, have a daughter Kate of Pittsburgh, and a son, Ben, of Framingham;

Alan Styer and his wife, Grace, of Greenford, Ohio, have three children: son Matt of
Philadelphia, and son Jon and daughter Amanda of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

There are a total of 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Each one brought special delight and joy to Edna.

Also surviving are a brother, Willard Benner and his wife, Marjorie, of Phoenixville; two sisters, Irene Alderfer of Souderton, and Dorothy Shenk and her husband, Paul, of Newport News, Virginia, and two sisters-in-law, Sarah Benner of Souderton and Vivian Benner of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Daryl Styer, and six brothers, Claude, Jacob, Paul,
Marvin, Edwin, and Merrill Benner.

More than anything, Edna's faith in Jesus Christ was real and unwavering. After raising her children, she had a real sensitivity to young women in distress and reached out to them with acceptance and love.

She had a tender heart for anyone who needed a friend. She cared about those in need and gave much of her time to help provide clothing to the poor through the Needleguild in Hatfield.

In the last 6 or 7 years, when serious illness brought changes to her life, she always believed and hoped for the best. It was disappointing to her when the outcome was not what she had hoped for, but she faced each challenge with grace, a positive attitude, and deep trust in a loving God.