Susie Bontrager

is honored with a Brick from Treva and Gerry Lichti.

Born into a large Amish family near Yoder, Kansas, Susie Bontrager learned the meaning of responsibility, hard work, and sharing from an early age. She also absorbed the importance of family connection and interrelationship, and over her lifetime has been able to translate and model those values for at least four generations of family and acquaintances. She is the chief foundation of the bridge that continues to connect family members who have remained Amish with those who choose other affiliations.

Susie's commitment to young people has taken her well beyond the confines of rural Kansas. As an active youth group leader in Pershing Street Mennonite Church (Hutchinson, Kansas) many years ago, she modeled positive human relationships, effective problem solving skills, and altruistic values which would influence the futures of many young participants. She moved on to Food Services work in the Chicago Public School System, and learned about inequity and prejudice, and also the unoppressed spirit and life energy of persons from cultures so different from her own.

Upon becoming director of Food Services at Laurelville Church Center in Pennsylvania, Susie continued mentoring young persons who served as camp staff members. In addition to serving incredibly delicious food, Susie always provided nutrition for the spirit through her willingness to listen nonjudgmentally, to share joys and difficulties, and to contribute strength and caring. At the same time, she continued her own learning and always expressed excitement about educational challenges. Some of this learning occurred under trying circumstances when bouts with cancer required developing new knowledge and making hard decisions.

More recently when Susie returned to Kansas to provide a home for two older sisters, she continued her interest in food services by directing that department in the Hutchinson Public School System. When one has this expertise, many other groups request help to manage their special occasions, knowing that quality food and service is primary in building good memories. Susie has used these opportunities many times to contribute to her community and to make many friends. Her knowledge that faith, family, friendship, and fellowship are key ingredients for successful and satisfactory living has been modeled for many years in her own life.

Touching lives in significant ways has little to do with formal education, financial resource, or political connections. More importantly, it depends on one's willingness to walk with other persons, to accept their limitations and their gifts, and to move outside oneself. Susie has been this person to many individuals, both within her family and with others.

Submitted by her niece, Treva Bontrager Lichti

July 28, 1998