Elda Roupp

Elda Roupp, 86, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2014, in Hesston. She was born May 25, 1928 in Goessel, Kansas, to Abraham and Katherine (Klaassen) Duerksen. Following a five year courtship, she married Willard Roupp on June 16, 1953. He preceded her in death on January 10, 1997. After graduating from Goessel High School and attending Bethel College, Elda was a one-room school teacher before she married and stayed home to raise her family. She was raised in the Alexanderwohl Mennonite congregation, where the family was involved until transferring to Hesston Mennonite Church where she remained a member until her passing. Elda was raised on a small farm between Goessel and Hillsboro where she developed a great love for the soil and growing things. Flowers adorned her yard and she always had a large, productive garden. Elda learned well the lessons of frugality, stewardship, and conservation taught by the Great Depression as well as those of generosity and service modeled by her community, church, and parents. She managed the home while Willard spent many hours working to support the family as he and his brother, Milford, started up the family business of Hesston Concrete Company. As her children left home, she returned to the local grade school where she worked as a teachers’ aide, developing many strong bonds and great memories with the staff and students. Elda loved her family and supported the things they were involved in, including various missions and church activities. No project was ever complete without her special touch of unique humor and creativity. Left to cherish Elda’s memory are her brothers Harold and wife Rosella Duerksen of Tucson, Arizona, and Roland and wife Mary of Oxford, Ohio, her children – sons Jim and wife Nancy of Newton, Kansas, Brad and wife Julia of Ashland, Oregon, and Randy and wife Kim of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and daughter Renae and husband Dean Alison of Hesston, Kansas, along with nine beloved grandchildren and many friends. She was preceded in death by Willard, her parents and her sister, Erna Schmidt. A Memorial Service will be held Nov. 29 at 11:00am at Hesston Mennonite Church. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on November 28 at Hesston Mennonite Church. A private burial is planned. Memorials are suggested to go to Hesston Mennonite Church, Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund, and Mennonite Central Committee in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston, KS.

Elda Roupp

May 25, 1928 - November 13, 2014