Alta Grace (Beyler) Rempel, 97, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.
She was born June 1, 1927, in rural Harper, Kansas, to Crist and Clara (Baker) Beyler. The family moved to a farm south of Protection, Kansas, when she was one year old. Alta attended Collier Flats School, and graduated from Protection High School in 1945. She furthered her education at Hesston College and graduated from Goshen College with a major in Home Economics.
Alta did summer VS (voluntary service), at Mennonite Youth Village in Pigeon, Michigan, Camp Rehoboth, St. Anne, Illinois, and also at Rocky Mountain Camp in Colorado. These times of service were very special to her and provided many unique experiences.
Alta’s first teaching job was at Meade Bible Academy, Meade, Kansas, where she taught Home Economics, typing, and business classes. Alta met her future husband, Will, by receiving a note brought to school by his sister to ask the teacher, Miss Beyler, for a date to the community concert in Dodge City. Marriage plans were made, invitations ready for mailing when Alta contracted sleeping sickness. The wedding was delayed and she recovered after several weeks. Will and Alta were married on November 22, 1958, at Protection, Kansas. Alta always said she received a lifetime bonus for teaching at Meade Bible Academy, which was her husband Will.
They newlyweds made their home in Meade for one year. They then moved to Protection where Will joined his brother-in-law, Victor Beyler, in partnership on the dairy farm.
Will and Alta were blessed with four children; Nola, Steve, Donna, and DeAnn.
Alta was a member of the Protection Mennonite Church, filling various roles in the church. She taught Sunday school and Bible school for many years and this was always a great joy to her.
She enjoyed flowers, gardening, canning, baking, and sewing. A memory from family was coming into her kitchen and the wonderful smells and seeing her standing there smiling and welcoming you home. Her cherry pies and cinnamon rolls were favorites of many. Will and Alta were faithful supporters of their children and grandchildren’s many activities and sporting events.
In 1999, Will an Alta retired, sold the farm and moved into Protection. Alta enjoyed entertaining and hosting in their home. She invited ladies from the church to their house for coffee one morning and this began the Tuesday Morning Bible Study.
Alta is remembered as always being encouraging, kind, and welcoming with a sweet spirit.
Alta is survived by children, Nola Hedlund of Montezuma, Kansas; Steve (Sandy) Rempel of Lenexa, Kansas; Donna Roulhac of Hesston, Kansas; and DeAnn Rempel of Ashland, Kansas; grandsons, Brian (Ivana) Roulhac, Kevin (Lauren) Roulhac, Levi (Megan) Hedlund, Logan (Kelsey) Hedlund, Lane (Lexi) Hedlund, Garrett (Natalie) Rempel, and granddaughter, Emily (Nolan) Daniel; great-grandchildren, Bristyl, Ellie, Avery, and Jonah Roulhac, Luke and Leah Hedlund, and Calvin and Jack Hedlund; brothers-in-law, Ed (Katherine) Rempel and Walter Rempel, and Dr. Howard Day; sisters-in-law, Margaret Reimer, Marilyn Harms, and Eileen (Burton) Kaufman; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Will; her parents, Crist and Clara Beyler; son-in-law, Derk Hedlund; sisters, Velma (Alvin) Weaver, Vera (Dale) Yoder; brothers, Clayton (Gladys) Beyler, and Victor (Elsie) Beyler; brothers-in-law, Pete, Donald, Dave C. Reimer, Ken Kauffman, and Ervin Harms; and sisters-in-law, Erma Kauffman, Helen Day, Eva Rempel, Kathy Rempel, and Debbie Rempel.
Private family graveside services will be held at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Meade. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2024,with the family present to receive friends at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.
The family would welcome memorials to the Lone Tree Retirement Center or the Protection Beautification Committee in care of the funeral home.
Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com
