Esther J Michael

Esther June (Fogo) Michael, 78, of Mankato, Kansas, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, Kansas. She was born on March 6, 1932 on a farm between Burr Oak and Esbon, Kansas. She was the youngest daughter of Charles E. and Stella Fogo.
She attended a rural school near her home and graduated in 1950 from Esbon High School. She then attended Fort Hays State College (University) for two years. On October 5, 1952 she married Doyle Michael in Burr Oak. Following their marriage, she and Doyle lived in Corpus Christie, Texas and Peacedale, Rhode Island while he served in the Navy. She worked for a bank in Corpus Christie and a dye plant in Rhode Island. Following her husband's discharge, they resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma for sixteen months where she worked for a credit union.
In 1956, Esther and Doyle moved to Denver, Colorado, where she worked for Continental Airlines prior to the birth of their daughter in 1958. She then became a homemaker until returning to work in the payroll department for Associated Grocers of Colorado in 1979. She retired in 1988. She and Doyle remained in Denver until 2008, when they moved to Mankato, Kansas.
Esther was active in several organizations in Denver and was a member of the Esbon American Legion Auxiliary for 60 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Charles and James Fogo, and sisters Winifred Newell and Maxine Schaffer.
She is survived by her husband of the home; sister Ardelle Church; daughter Laura and son-in law Jan Crum of Montrose; son Ron and daughter-in-law Jan of Lindsborg; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; three great step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church, Esbon, Kansas. Interment will be in the Esbon Cemetery, Esbon, Kansas.

Visitation will be Thursday and Friday, 9:00 a.m, until 8:00 p.m., at the Mortuary in Mankato. The family suggests memorials to Jewell County Hospital or Jewell County Hospital Long-term Care, both in Mankato. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.