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About
BICF > Testimonials > Ethel
Climenhaga
Testimonials
A teacher's gift
When Ethel Climenhaga passed away on September 7, 2004, she left behind an
estate larger than anyone, even those closest to her, could have expected. As a
recipient of a portion of Ethel’s estate, the BICF has seen Ethel’s legacy
continued through planned giving. A Christian educator for the majority of her
life, Ethel often sought to lead by example.
After beginning her lifelong pursuit of learning within her home community of
Kindersley, Saskatchewan County, Canada, Ethel left home at sixteen to continue
her education. She studied at both Messiah Bible College and Goshen College and
went on to teach at Hesston College, Kansas.
With three years experience, Ethel accepted a teaching position in business
education at Upland College in Upland, CA and went on to receive her
master’s degree in business education. She loved her career and remained devoted to her
students for the rest of her life.
“Ethel always worked for Christian schools,” remembers Dr. John Martin, her
cousin-in-law. “She never had a high paying job—but she saved.” Ethel taught
courses in bookkeeping, shorthand and typing.
During her years teaching with Western Christian Academy, after Upland Christian
Academy became an exclusively post-secondary school, Ethel was commended for her
attendance record. Harold Sider, a relative and principal of the Academy,
remembers, “There were a number of times when she had laryngitis and could
hardly speak, but she would say, ‘I can get along. I can write the directions on
the board.”
In fact, Ethel would frequently write her lessons on the board and when students
came in they would begin immediately. “There was not a lot of wasted time in
Ethel’s classroom. She was very well organized as a teacher—very innovative—and
had very good classroom discipline,” Harold remembers.
Outside of the classroom Ethel was always using her own experience to guide
others. “Ethel was always full of life and liked to help people,” John recalls.
Faithfully attending Brethren in Christ congregations throughout her life, Ethel
taught Sunday school while also serving as the Dean of Women for Upland College,
aiding the “girls in get[ting] used to college . . . used to life.”
While teaching a class and discussing the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, Wilmer
Heisey, Ethel’s brother-in-law, chose to tell the story of Ethel’s life “as an
illustration of a virtuous woman who didn’t marry, didn’t have children, but
lived a life rich and full, blessed with friends, family and the church.” He
recalls how impressed the group seemed. One individual remarked, “And she is
still teaching us.”
One way is through the responsibility with which Ethel handled her finances and
her estate, “The way Ethel spread her estate across the church and her concerns,
we think is outstanding,” Wilmer states, “and just illustrates what her life was
like. She was very organized, very wholehearted; just very involved in the life
of others.”
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