Marva J. Blough

Marva Jean (Stutzman) Blough, 81, died peacefully at her home on January 2, 2025. She was born September 13, 1943, in Chappell, NE, to Perry and Lela Stutzman, both of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by Jim Blough, her beloved husband of 55 years; sister Delores Headings (Sanford); son Cedric Blough (Becky); daughter Vania Winsor (Michael); grandchildren Emma Blough, Kira Blough, Lela Winsor, Cyrus Blough, and Zoe Winsor; and many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. Marva’s family moved to Hesston, KS, when she was 11. She graduated from the Hesston Academy and then Hesston College, after which she went to work in Elkhart, IN, for the Mennonite Mission Board for two years. After she returned to Hesston, Marva met the boy next door (or three houses down the street). Jim was back from his alternative service assignment in Brazil, and his sister Judy encouraged him to ask Marva out. At Easter, they went to see The Sound of Music for their first date, and things must have gone well because they were soon planning an August wedding. Jim was returning to Brazil, so Marva had to go with him or wait for him. She chose to take a leap of faith, and on August 10, 1969, the two were married at Whitestone Mennonite Church. In Brazil, the newlyweds learned to rely on each other while facing all sorts of challenges. Jim worked the farm and fixed things for their neighbors; Marva took care of Jim and their thatch house—and protected her chickens from all kinds of predators. It’s a good thing she was a crack shot with the rifle! After two years they returned to Kansas and bought a house in Moundridge, where they welcomed their first child, Cedric James, into their family. By the time Vania Marie arrived two years later, the family had moved to Hesston, where Jim and Marva would raise their children. In the early 80s, Marva and Jim started their own business, The Job Shop. Jim took all kinds of welding and fabricating jobs, fixing anything the area farmers needed, and Marva handled the books for the business, a job that she performed masterfully until she retired. Her excellent accounting skills live on in the way she taught her children that a checkbook must balance to the penny every month! Marva was a devoted mother who loved her children more than anything—until her grandchildren came along. Emma, Kira, Lela, Cyrus, and Zoe were truly her greatest loves, and nothing gave her more joy than attending their events or having them at her house. From soccer, softball, and basketball games to band concerts, horse shows, and dance recitals, Marva attended everything as long as she could. Watching her grandchildren grow from babies to accomplished young adults was the highlight of her life. Time with them was her greatest joy. In later years, Marva had a great passion for sewing school kit bags for MCC and made hundreds every year. One year, she set a goal and made over 1,000 bags that would go on to change the lives of children around the world. Even after she could no longer sew, she strung the bags that several of her faithful friends made and bundled pens and pencils for the church’s annual school kit drive. She was determined to serve as long as she possibly could. When she could not do as much physically, she prayed for her family and friends and continued to take care of them just like she always had. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, and Friend… Marva was many things to many people, and those relationships were the center of her life. To her husband, she was a devoted partner through the good and the bad. Her commitment to Jim and their marriage never wavered. They exemplified what it means to honor a vow and were side by side until her last breath. To her kids (her own, as well as all their friends who called her “Mom”), she was someone they could always turn to for advice and unconditional love. No matter what they needed, she did everything in her power to provide it or make it happen. She was always there for them, ready to celebrate after a football game or cry after a hard day. To her grandchildren, she was someone who never stopped cheering them on and reminding them how loved and special they were in her eyes. To her friends, she was a listening ear, a source of sunshine on dark days, and a faithful prayer warrior. The relationships Marva formed with everyone she met are her true legacy. She will be missed greatly. Her wisdom and unconditional love touched many lives, and we are all who we are today because of her presence in our lives. Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church on Friday, January 10, 2025. Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11 at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church. Private inurnment will take place at Eastlawn Cemetery in Hesston. Memorial contributions may be made to Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church (in the memo put MCC School Kits) in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Marva J. Blough

September 13, 1943 - January 2, 2025