Sandra Sue "Sandy" Essmiller, 66, died Oct. 12 at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, Calif. She was born Jan. 13, 1945 at Great Bend, the daughter of Lester Arnold and Clara LaVergne (Hanhardt) Hagerman.

She was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church, Albert and is a 1963 Graduate of Otis High School. She received a degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University in 1967.

She married to Jim Essmiller in June 1968 at Peace Lutheran in Albert, later divorced. She worked as a manager for Walmart and more recently for USD 428 as a special education teacher.

Ms. Essmiller grew-up in Rush County and had been a longtime Great Bend resident. Sandy was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church – especially in women’s groups and church leadership.

Sandy was a long-time square dancer and had a life-time love for quilting and sewing. Sandy found her greatest joy being a grandma, spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow

Survivors include companion, L. R. Stoskopf of Hoisington; two sons, Kyle Essmiller of Edmond, Okla., and John Essmiller and wife Kimberly of South Pasadena, Calif.; one sister: Karen Wiltse and husband Ken of Timken; three grandchildren, James Essmiller and Kennedy Essmiller of Edmond, Okla., and their mother Kathy Essmiller also of Edmond, and Emiko Essmiller of South Pasadena, Calif.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. The Officiant will be Rev. James A. Strasen. Interment will be at Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery, Albert.

Visitation: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund may be made to USD 428 Foundation to benefit Special Education in care of Bryant 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 (Kan) Tribune, Oct. 19, 2011