Erna SaltzmanHesston, KS

Erna Elaine Saltzman, age 99, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas. She was born on March 13, 1927, in Milford, Nebraska to Edward and Alice (Schweitzer) Saltzman, and was the 4th of 8 children. When she wasn’t attending school, she helped her mother in the family home. She took great pride in caring for her four younger siblings. Erna’s love of quilting began as a child in the home where she learned the craft of sewing at her mother’s side – a skill she carried throughout her life.

Erna’s faith journey began early at Milford Mennonite Church where she was baptized as a young teenager. She enjoyed the music at church and found great fulfillment in singing, whether harmonizing with a chorus or sharing favorite songs with her family at home.

As a teenager Erna worked at Woolworth's in Lincoln, Nebraska. Not surprisingly, she worked in the fabric section of the store. Her working path over the next years was varied, including working at a children’s home in West Liberty, Ohio, and briefly at a bank in Hesston, Kansas. She attended Hesston College and received her A.A. in Liberal Arts in 1957. In 1961, she began working at Hesston College, advancing from Assistant Registrar to Registrar, a role she held until her retirement in 1994. She was a valued and respected member of the Hesston College staff and was awarded the honor of Emeritus Staff on April 13, 2026, one week before her death.

Outside of her professional life, Erna was a member of Hesston Mennonite Church. She served on the kitchen/hospitality committee and occasionally taught children’s Sunday School classes. She attended in person faithfully for many years until her physical ailments prevented her from doing so.

Erna’s true passion was quilting. She was a master quilter, and she created hundreds of quilts, each a testament to her skill in selecting fabrics and her precision in piecing them together. Her quilts are not just something to put on the bed; they are works of art, cherished by all who had the fortune to receive one.

Her love of quilting extended outside of her sewing room. After retirement from Hesston College, Erna worked at the fabric store in North Newton. She taught classes and workshops, often travelling a distance to do so. She was a founding member of the Emma Creek Quilt Guild and served as president while she was a member. She was also a founding member of the Cut-Ups quilting group. Erna cherished the women of the Cut-Ups and the monthly gatherings, and she attended until just a few months before her death.

Erna is survived by her sister Detta Saltzman of Hesston and was adored by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, along with her siblings and their spouses: Clint (Doris) Saltzman, Sterling (Ina) Saltzman, Glen (Donna) Saltzman, Edward (Leona) Saltzman, Grace (Earl) Rediger, and Lila (Conrad) Osborne.

A memorial service will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church on May 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.   The services will be livestreamed at www.hesstonmc.org/memorial. There will be a private burial with family at Eastlawn Cemetery, rural Hesston, prior to the memorial service.

Memorials may be made to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund or to Hesston Mennonite Church in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.