KALONA - Edith Maxine Nisly was born April 4, 1919 in rural Wellman, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Bender) Swartzendruber. She attended Center High School and then worked at Maplecrest. On November 24, 1940 Edith was united in marriage to William H. Nisly at the Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church in rural Wellman. They made their home in the Wellman community where Edith was a homemaker. They operated a grocery store in Kalona from 1961-1971, and then Edith worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide and Medication Tech at the Pleasantview Home from 1971-1990. Edith was a member of the Sunnyside Mennonite Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School. She also volunteered at the Pleasantview Home and Crowded Closet. She enjoyed quilting, puzzles and reading. Edith passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona at the age of 97 years.
Edith is survived by 8 children; Rachel (Alvin) Kemp of Wellman; Sheldon (Miriam) Nisly of Kalona; Weldon (Margaret) Nisly of Seattle, WA; Wendell (Muriel) Nisly of Kalona; Jenelle (Dwight) Bender of Kalona; Marcus (Sandra) Nisly of Goshen, IN; Hope Nisly (Douglas Kliewer) of Reedley, CA; Ross (Lynn) Nisly of Hutchinson, KS; 22 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; a great great grandchild; a sister Ethel (Henry) Miller of Kalona; a sister-in-law Ila Swartzendruber of Kalona; and a brother-in-law Vernon Ropp of Kalona. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William, a daughter-in-law Sherry Nisly, 2 brothers Morris and Ellis, and 3 sisters Mildred Graber, Effie Miller, and Mary Elva Ropp.

A Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 am Monday, January 16, 2017 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Kalona. Pastor Floyd Helmuth and Pastor John King will officiate. Graveside Service will be held 2:30 pm Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Upper Deer Creek Cemetery in rural Wellman. Visitation will be 12-6 pm Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Sunnyside Missions and Iowa City Hospice. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Edith and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com