BERNE, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) – Although Ramoth Burkhalter, long-time mission worker in India, passed away on Aug. 14, 2010, at the age of 86, God isn’t finished with her work.
Burkhalter and her husband, Edward, served as mission workers in India for 42 years with Commission on Overseas Mission, a predecessor agency to Mennonite Mission Network. From their 1947 call to India, until their retirement in 1989, the Burkhalters were passionate about educating Indian Christians for national leadership. Years after the Burkhalters’ involvement in rural primary schools, evangelist and pastor training, and Jansen Memorial High School, graduates are working in positions of leadership in Indian churches, hospitals, schools and businesses.
During that time, Burkhalter’s heart went out to the young women in the area who could not pursue a higher education. She wanted to offer women life skills and a dignified way to make a living, so she founded Asha (hope). There, young women learned sewing and embroidery, skills that would enable them to gain independence.
Ramoth Isabel Lowe was born Nov. 7, 1923, in Asheville, N.C., to Oscar and Mary Knox Lowe. With her brothers, Reid, James, and Oscar Jr., she completed her schooling in Asheville. Following her graduation from Lee Edwards High School, Ramoth completed two years of business administration at Biltmore Junior College in Asheville, followed by two years at Wheaton (Ill.) College, where she met Edward Burkhalter of Berne. They were married Aug. 29, 1945, in Asheville. Edward and Ramoth continued their studies for an additional year at Wheaton, where she completed a Master’s degree in Christian education. The couple then moved to New York City, where Edward received his Master of Divinity degree from New York Biblical Seminary, and Ramoth developed her deep love of education while teaching kindergarten.
In November 1947, the couple and their 4-month old daughter, Mary Kay, left the United States aboard the Queen Mary ocean liner bound for India, where they served for more than four decades. The couple had five more children while in India. All six children completed their educations at Woodstock School in the Himalayan foothills, where Ramoth was active in the hillside community. The Burkhalters served in central India, forming lasting friendships with Indian churches and communities in Korba, Saraipali, and Jagdeeshpur.
In 1989, Edward and Ramoth retired to Berne where they found avenues for continued ministry and supportive friendships. Following Edward’s death in 1993, Ramoth continued to live in Berne until she moved to Minneapolis in 2007 to be near her family. There she found a home at Bethany Covenant Village retirement community.
In her 2007 memoir, With No Regrets, Ramoth described how God led her through every stage of her life. She reiterated her faith that God would lead her final steps as well.
As a wise counselor, Ramoth Burkhalter crossed boundaries, befriending and drawing others into community.
Ramoth is well known for her encouragement and listening ear, particularly to the Indian church leaders, remembers Jai Masih, a friend from India.
She is survived by her six children and their families: Mary Kay (Jonathan) Larson of Atlanta; Beth Ann (George) Taylor of Bridgewater, Va.; John (Barbara) Burkhalter of Indianapolis; Joyce (Mike) Flueckiger of Atlanta; Amy (Chris Bauer) Burkhalter of Minneapolis; and Sheryl (Vivek Gupta) Burkhalter of Chicago. She is also survived by her brother, Oscar Lowe Jr., of Strawberry, Ariz., 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces.
A memorial service will be held at the First Mennonite Church in Berne on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m.
Memorial gifts may be made to a Mennonite Mission Network scholarship fund for the training of women leaders in the Indian church (c/o First Mennonite Church of Berne) or to a fund supporting South Asian immigrant women in America at www.Raksha.org.
-Adapted from obituary written by the Burkhalter children
