Edgar Stoesz, 95, died March 12, 2025, with a faith confident in God’s grace. Born in Mountain Lake Minn., he was the son of Dietrich and Anna Stoesz.
Edgar and his wife, Gladys, did two years of alternate service, which blossomed into a career that included working with Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Indemnity, Goodville Mutual Insurance and Menno Travel. Some themes in his work were Mennonite resettlement in the Paraguayan Chaco, world hunger, the civil rights movement and creating a mutual aid insurance plan for missionaries. He considered his career a calling from God and a service to others.
He chaired the boards of Habitat for Humanity International, Heifer International, Bridge of Hope National, American Leprosy Mission, Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti and Fuller Center for Housing and served on many other boards. He was a member of Akron Mennonite Church and served as moderator of Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA. He shared generously of his time and talents, assisted good causes and built lifelong friendships.
He enjoyed making and fixing all sorts of things, from home improvement projects, gardening and woodworking to improving how boards and businesses functioned. He read extensively, enjoyed writing and authored numerous books, including Doing Good Better! How to Be an Effective Board Member. He cherished his wife, Gladys, enjoyed the love of his family and was actively engaged in their lives.
He is survived by children Susan, Dean, Marcia, Randall, Ellen and Kristine; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister Helen Peifer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years; and brothers Eldor, Harvey and Dietrich Jr.
Memorials may be given to Mennonite Cen-
tral Committee or Habitat for Humanity Interna-
tional.
The memorial service will be at 4 p.m. April 5 at Akron Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania.
