Emma: A Widow Among the Amish

by Ervin R. Stutzman

Emma Stutzman's Amish life was abruptly altered when she learned about her husband's sudden and tragic death. Now a single parent, Emma must figure out how to respond to the pressures of modernization and the pull of mainstream culture. Will she regain her strength as a woman after so much stress and tragedy in her married life? How will she lead her children to faith in the Amish Mennonite church without their father?

Journey into the world of "Emma: A Widow among the Amish" and follow this true-life story of a woman left to raise six young children on her own after her world collapsed. Ervin R. Stutzman, the youngest son of Emma, paints a fictionalized but ultimately true story of his mother's daily struggle to provide for her children and be faithful to God. This intimate portrait is a sequel to "Tobias of the Amish," the true-to-life story of the author's late Amish father.

Genres: Amish, Biography

Audio CD

First published November 28, 2007

About the author

Ervin Stutzman is currently Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA.

Before taking on this role in January 2010, he served for nearly 12 years as Dean and Professor of Church Ministries at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Va. He has also served the Mennonite Church in the roles of pastor, district overseer, missions administrator, conference moderator and, from 2001 to 2003, as moderator for Mennonite Church USA.

Ervin graduated with a bachelor's degree from Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University. He holds master's degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He received his Ph.D. from Temple University. His master's thesis at Eastern Mennonite Seminary was "Biblical Interpretation in the Free Church: Appropriating Scriptural Truth Through Communal Discernment." For his doctoral dissertation he wrote "From Nonresistance to Peace and Justice: Mennonite Peace Rhetoric, 1951-1991."

Ervin was born a twin into an Amish home in Kalona, Iowa. After his father's death a few years later, his mother moved the family to her home community near Hutchinson, Kan. Ervin was baptized in the Center Amish Mennonite Church near Partridge. Later, he joined the Yoder Mennonite Church. Ervin married Bonita Haldeman of Manheim, Pa. Together they served for five years with Rosedale Mennonite Missions in Cincinnati, part of that time in voluntary service. Ervin was ordained to serve as co-pastor of Mennonite Christian Assembly. From there, the Stutzmans moved to Pennsylvania, where they were members of the Mount Joy Mennonite Church. They currently live in Harrisonburg, Va., and are members of Park View Mennonite Church, where Ervin regularly teaches a men's Bible study.

Ervin is a preacher, teacher and writer. His Herald Press publications include Being God's People, a study for new believers, Creating Communities of the Kingdom (co-authored with David Shenk), Welcome!, a book encouraging the church to welcome new members, Tobias of the Amish, a story of his father's life and community, and Emma, A Widow Among the Amish, the story of his mother.

http://www.ErvinStutzman.com/

Reviews

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sequel to the book, "Tobias of the Amish" (Link to my review). This book is the story of the author's mother, Emma, beginning at the time of his father's death. It is thus the story of her experiences of being left a widowed mother of six children and the subsequent life among the Amish.

Of course, being left a widow with young children is not a happy event. However, from this book I would surmise that if it is going to happen, having it happen within an Amish community is one of the better places for it to happen. She was able to move back to her home community where a house was built for her and her children.

This book, like the Tobias book, is written in the form of a novelized biography. It is basically a true story, but is told by an omniscient narrator capable of describing the inner thoughts and feelings of the book's characters together will their dialog. The story ends up being surprisingly interesting given the fact that it's a story of ordinary people living plain ordinary lives. Some readers may find this kind of story not all that interesting. However, I had enough in common with those in the story that I found it fascinating.

The book contains some photographs that will be of interest to readers. For example, the plan of her house and farmstead as well as the friendship quilt that was given to Emma when she left Iowa. When I first wrote this review I included here a link to some of the photos posted in the author's web page. But those links have been broken, and I can't find the photos on-line anymore. Here's a link to a Youtube video of the author talking about this book. It includes some photos of Emma and family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvNi9...

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting it took you from the death of Emma's husband Tobe to her death. It showed her courage to stay single and raise her children in the Amish way. It takes you through the many changes the Amish church went through in great detail. I read through this book in about four days, because I kept picking it up and reading it; because I wanted to know what was going on with Emma and the kids each day. What was going to happen to them on any given day. Emma had to make the hard choices, but she did with diginity and grace, and with no regrets after the decision had been made. She trusted in God to do what was right in her life.

[Partridge Public]

Stutzman, Ervin R.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting mainly because it details some of the changes and Amish congregation went through in the 1950s and '60s. It also details some things about daily life and culture which are interesting as well.

Because this is Stutzman's memoir about his family and mother, there are sections that are dry to someone outside of his family who is reading it. A lot of people are mentioned by name, cousins and family members and it can be a lot to keep track of, especially to the casual reader.

I did enjoy the culture though and reading about some of the changes in the Amish church in Kansas.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting sequel to Tobias of the Amish. Emma was Tobe's wife and it chronicled her life with him and after his death until she succumbed to breast cancer that spread to her bones. She was a hard worker, loved to garden and loved her children and grands. Edith, their mildly retarded and seizure prone daughter stayed with Arvilla who never married and felt God's call on her life to care for children. It is a long, slow read but it gives great insights to the Amish and their ways.

[Carol Blakeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting story of Amish life and all the changes and adjustments that life brings. I wouldn’t say it was riveting, but I found it interesting because I grew up about 50 miles from where they lived and I grew up in a Mennonite church.

[Ruth Showalter]

Thank you, Ervin Stutzman!

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely informative look at Amish life in the 1950s.

[Jax Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compassionate and beautifully- told story with plenty that would interest those who enjoy Mennonite / Amish fiction, or just stories about life in the mid 20th century in Kansas.

[Lucy]

Having grown up in a similar background, I just really enjoyed this honest, thoughtful book of real people's lives... Contrasted with the dreadful 'Amish fiction ' that's popular now

[Shirley Showalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reviewed on my blog:http://www.shirleyshowalter.com/2011/...

I enjoyed this book a lot. The author is currently writing a new book about the Hochstetler family whose family members were killed by Indians in 1757.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This an interesting book about the amish and their different churches and beliefs and struggles they have. These amish believ in salvationa dn being able to read and study the Bible themselves

[Shirley]

Church library, companion to Tobias of the Amish

[Carol]

this is a great for a read. i love it i will reread it.

[Carol & Russell]

great book. sad in some places. did not want to put t down.

[Bob Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an earlier book about her husband Tobias. Both are great reads

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting.