Barbara Elizabeth (Marner) Kanagy, 31 Jul 1930 - 22 Dec 2024

KANAGY, MARNER, YODER, BIRD, DORR

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 1/3/2025 at 14:48:08

Barbara Elizabeth Kanagy was born July 31, 1930, near Parnell, Iowa, the daughter of John Earl and Lydia (Yoder) Marner. She grew up in the Parnell community, attended White Hall one room school house, and earned a GED so she could attend Hesston College. There she met her future husband, and on October 23, 1953, Elizabeth was united in marriage to Joe Samuel Kanagy at West Union Mennonite Church, rural Parnell. They lived in Nebraska for two years before returning to rural Wellman in 1955.

Elizabeth loved the Lord and was a member of the West Union Mennonite Church. She served as primary superintendent, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, library committee member, WMSC member, resource secretary for Mennonite Women Iowa and Nebraska Conference. She assisted in bringing several refugee families to the Wellman community and supporting their acclimation into the USA. In addition to church work, Elizabeth provided in-home childcare for area families where she loved and nurtured infants and toddlers with music, books, fresh air, and screen free play until their early school years. She considered the children and their families to be part of her own. Elizabeth also loved working in her vegetable gardens and flowerbeds. She spent hours nurturing the crops, canning or freezing them, and making organic meals for her family. She also took time to patiently teach these skills to family members. She loved her family deeply, and spent the years teaching and praying for each child and grandchild.

Elizabeth went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona, at the age of 94 years.

She is survived by her children John D. Kanagy of Union, MO, Robert J. (Anita) Kanagy of Wellman, JoAnne E. (Randy) Bird of Hamilton, IL, James Kanagy of Parnell, Charles L. (Judy) Kanagy of Colorado Springs, CO, Ruth K. (Mark) Dorr of West Des Moines, Steven L. (Lisa) Kanagy of Grundy Center; thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and a brother Marvin (Helen) Marner of Hills.

She was preceded by her parents; husband; three sisters Lucille Marner, Lois Marner, Verda Marner; two brothers Lowell Marner, Clair (Juanita) Marner; and a daughter-in-law Kathy(James) Kanagy.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Yoder-Powell Funeral Home. John David Kenny will be officiating. Burial will be at West Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00pm Friday, December 27, 2024 at Yoder Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for West Union Mennonite Church and Mennonite Central Committee. The service will be livestreamed at Powell Funeral Homes Facebook page. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Yoder Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is caring for Elizabeth and her family.

Published on Powell Funeral Home website.