Edna Nisly, 82, died May 23, 2010, at her home. She was born Aug. 29, 1927, in Reno County, the daughter of Harmon C. and Lizzie Garver Yoder. She attended school in rural Hutchinson and was a member of Center Amish Mennonite Church. She was a homemaker.
On May 21, 1950, she married Menno Nisly in Hutchinson. He survives. Other survivors include: Grace Madonna and husband Leo, Mulvane, J. Samuel Nisly and wife Brenda, Oswego, J. Arthur Nisly and wife Lil, San Salvador, El Salvador, J. Harold Nisly and wife Judith, Partridge, J. Marvin Nisly and wife Rosa, Hope Kramer and husband Richard, and J. Arnold Nisly and wife Judy, all of Hutchinson; brothers, Harley Yoder, Topeka, Crist Yoder, Hutchinson, and Ora Yoder, Kingfisher, Okla.; sisters, Gertie Yoder and Fannie Miller, both of Hutchinson, Orpha Nisly, Clearwater, Florida, and Erma Yoder, Pratts, Virginia; 31 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Roy Yoder and Fred Yoder, and an infant brother; and granddaughters, Evie and Kari Nisly.

Edna Nisly will be remembered by her interest in helping people and in their ministries. Over the years she blessed her family, many missionaries and individuals in full-time voluntary service with her almost weekly letters and often visited those who were homebound. Her family was the fortunate recipient of her many sacrificial, "behind the scenes" actions of love and service. In her spare time she learned to express her creativity through arts and crafts. God gifted her with the ability to do things with her hands and she used those gifts very well. She spent a great deal of time in her later years piecing and quilting a quilt for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also donated many quilts to various fundraising projects. Her calm determination is evidenced by her resolute exercise plan that kept her healthy for many years. In 1990 and again in 2001 she had open heart surgery, which gave her a new lease on life. In 2006 and in 2008 she had surgery in which cancerous masses were removed, but doctors were unable to remove all the cancerous tissue. In September 2009 she began hospice care.

Although it was hard, her family honored her request to enjoy a good quality of life while the Lord granted it rather than enduring more surgeries or chemotherapy. She daily confirmed her love for the Lord, her readiness, and great desire to go and be with Him. "The sting of death is gone!" "I want to enjoy today!" "God is good" are some of her comments we heard repeatedly these last weeks of her life that illustrate her quiet confidence that she was ready to meet her Maker. She was blessed with a beautiful dream in which Jesus told her that her "house" on earth was no longer good enough for her, and that He was building a new one in heaven just for her! Although we already miss her tremendously, we know she is now no longer in pain and "safe in the arms of Jesus!"

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at Center Amish Mennonite Church, rural Hutchinson. Burial will be in West Center Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice Care of Kansas, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave condolences for Edna's family.