Orlin E. Eigsti

Orlin Elwell Eigsti, age 96, passed away on September 12, 2022 at Newton Medical Center. Orlin was born October 8, 1925, near Wayland, Iowa. He was the oldest of five children born to Emery and Edna (Wenger) Eigsti. After him came Doris (Dean) Meyer, Ruth (Delmar) Miller, Marilyn Eigsti and Mervin (Ardith) Eigsti. Orlin attended school, through high school in the Wayland Iowa Consolidated School District. Along with basketball and baseball, he played the cornet in the school band. Orlin accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at the age of 13. He was a member of Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Wayland, Iowa, where he served as Sunday School superintendent, MYF sponsor, and elder. On February 22, 1948, he married his life-long sweetheart, Ina Mae Freyenberger, at the same farm house which served as their family home. It was there that they raised their sons. Daniel Joe was born in 1949 and Thomas Lee (Paula) in 1950. In addition to farming the family farm, Orlin served dozens of families and school children, for many years, as a bus driver. In 1969, Orlin and Ina held a farm auction and began a courageous adventure of service to others. This service took them to Richmond, Virginia as houseparents to young adult volunteers, Frontier Boys Village, Larkspur, Colorado, as houseparents for emotionally disturbed boys and Elkhart, Indiana with Mennonite Board of Missions. By 1977, a job opening in the grounds department at Hesston College lured the farmer in Orlin. This led to relocating to Hesston, Kansas. He worked the grounds department for 11 years at the college and 11 years at Stutzman Retreat Center. During this time, Orlin became a member of Hesston Mennonite Church where he contributed faithfully for over 40 years. After retiring in 1999, he and Ina moved into independent living at Schowalter Villa. He continued to serve by volunteering for the Et Cetera Shop, Meals on Wheels, Methodist Youthville. He also provided transportation for Schowalter Villa residents who were unable to drive to appointments. In 2015, Orlin and Ina moved to an assisted living apartment within the Schowalter Villa complex. He continued living there until his death. His upbeat personality, positive perspective, and trust in God, strengthened him through life challenges and brought joy and inspiration to everyone around him. His heart for service endeared him to many and brings a legacy of blessing to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by wife, Ina; sister-in-law, Ardith Eigsti; sons, Dan and Tom; daughter-in-law, Paula; grandchildren, Cherise (Chad) Fidler, Shanna (Micah) Beachy, Melissa (Cory) Lamb, Chad (Sondra) Eigsti and Nathan (Courney) Eigsti; as well as 10 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who loved and respected Orlin. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Doris, Ruth and Marilyn; and brother, Mervin. Memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Hesston Mennonite Church. The service will be live streamed at www.hesstonmc.org/memorial. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers,memorials can be given to Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund or Hesston College in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Orlin E. Eigsti

October 8, 1925 - September 12, 2022