Marjorie
Fast Schowalter (Franz)
84, North Newton Marjorie Fast Schowalter (Franz), age 84, died
peacefully on Feb. 5, 2013, at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, where she
had resided for the past five years.
She had been an elementary music teacher, an accomplished pianist and costume
seamstress prior to the onset of crippling arthritis. Margie received her music
degree in 1949 from Bethel College in North Newton, with additional studies at
Wichita State University.
Her first husband, Duane Schowalter, a Boeing engineer, preceded her in death
in 1987. In 2000 she married Earl Franz of Lind, Wash., a former friend from
Bethel College days.
She is survived by her husband, Earl; two sons, Tim (and Cathy) Schowalter and
Steve (and Marna) Schowalter; two daughters, Cynthia (and Don) Kinkade and
Stephanie (and Robbie) Pollack; two granddaughters, Shannon (and Jed) Heuberger
and Corin (and Dave) Hammond; a sister, Florence (and Merle) Siebert; a
brother, Richard (and Maryann) Fast; three step-daughters, Yvonne Redelfs, Gail
Hudson and Jeanette Filan; seven step-grandchildren; and two
step-great-grandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were her parents, Dr. Henry and Ethyl Fast, and an
8-year-old sister, Elinor.
Memorial services are being held in the Bethel College Mennonite Church in
North Newton on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. She has donated her body to the
University of Kansas Medical Center.
Memorials can be sent to "Bethel College Christian Education Student
Scholarship Fund" or "Fine Arts Center Improvement Fund."
Arrangements made by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
