Dorothy B. Essmiller, 89, died Sept. 19 at her home in Great Bend. Born June 1, 1921, in Great Bend, she was the daughter of Harry and Ruby (Travis) LeRoy. On Aug. 3, 1941, she married Ralph Essmiller in Great Bend. He died Aug. 9, 1974. A lifetime resident of Great Bend she was a farm wife and bookkeeper for McDonald Tank and Equipment Company, Inc.
Mrs. Essmiller was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, deacon and church treasurer, Church School teacher, all offices in Presbyterian Women and an Association of Churches representative. She was a charter member of Liberty FCE Unit, 4-H leader, and served as secretary of the county FCE Council. She was also secretary of the board of directors for the community Hospital Association, board member of Golden Belt Community Concert Association and was chosen as BPW Woman of the Year in 1984, and American Legion Auxiliary, serving as historian. Mrs. Essmiller instigated the first “I Can Cope” sessions for cancer patients and their families and was a member of the 3C’s Cancer Support Group.
Survivors include two sons, David Essmiller and wife Deanna of Great Bend and Don Essmiller of Dallas, Tx.; a brother, Robert LeRoy and wife Lou Ann of Great Bend; two sisters, Lois Marshall and Mildred Harders and husband Bob, all of Great Bend; four grandchildren, Miles Essmiller and wife Jessica of Hermosa Beach, Calif., Adlee Snyder and husband Scot of Olathe, and Larissa Fleming-Michaelis and husband Mike and Nathan Fleming and wife Traci, all of Great Bend; six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at the First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Dr. Scott Solether officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may visit from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Ks. 67530
Great Bend (Kansas) Tribune, Sept. 22, 2010