Phyllis June Esslinger

Phyllis June Esslinger was born May 31, 1931 at Densmore, Kansas to Edward Edwin and Helene Mary (Cramer) Luther. She passed away November 2, 2015 at Salina Regional Medical Center at the age of 84 years, 5 months and 2 days.

Her parents, Phyllis, her older brother Raymond and two younger sisters, Leta and Mary made their home on a farm southeast of Norton, Kansas. Phyllis attended a country school and then later lived in Norton with a family to attend school there and graduated in 1948 from Norton High School. She married Buford Francis Esslinger June 2, 1948 and they made their home at Green Mountain Falls, Colorado managing a hotel there. After the oldest son Ronald was born, they moved back to Kansas and resided just south of Esbon, farming, milking and trying their hand at other agriculture endeavors.

While living at Esbon, nine more children arrived to make this a family of twelve. In March 1962 Buford and Phyllis purchased a farm northeast of Mankato, packed up the family and made this their home for the next 28 years. After settling down in this home they decided to bless it with three more children. They joined St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, in Mankato. Phyllis became active in the St. Theresa’s Guild and the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Post No. 7830 as a life member.

Phyllis worked hard raising thirteen children, from cooking, cleaning, baking, sewing and she still found time to help with homework assignments, listen to us practice our instruments or best of all sit down to the piano and play sheet music that we sung along with. She also tried her hand at being a nurse aid at the hospital.

In 1980 Buford and Phyllis purchased a home in Mankato and leaving the family farm to their son, Phillip, they moved with the last three children still in High School. Phyllis then took up cleaning motel rooms at the Dreamliner Motel. She later worked at the Jewell County Hospital as a cook. Later in life, she worked at the Jewell County Extension Office, ASCS office and recycling center.

After selling her house in town, she moved to an apartment and due to a fractured leg in a fall, eventually made her home at the Jewell County Hospital ISB, Mankato, Kansas. She enjoyed participating in Bingo, Tuesday Happenings and the Friday Card Social she implemented. As one granddaughter stated, she could play a wicked game of cards and everyone was willing to challenge her ability to be the winner either in cards or other board games.

There are so many fond memories to be shared by a family of thirteen children, in-laws, 33 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends. But all would say that her love of music, her work ethics, her caring, sharing, loving arms and listening ear were traits that are irreplaceable. And of course her laughter at a good joke, or even that smile with the twinkle in her eyes, will sorely be missed.

The love of her life, Buford, died January 4, 1990 and a daughter Bonita Delly, was killed in a vehicle accident March 11, 1999. Also preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Raymond, and her sister Mary, a granddaughter, Catherine Esslinger and daughter-in-law, Debbie Esslinger.

Surviving are: Ronald Esslinger, Basehor, Kansas: son and spouse Chad and Kelly Esslinger, children Lola and Abram; and daughter and spouse Hicham & Vanessa Morsse, child Alexa. Bonita Delly (deceased) Missouri: daughter Christine Delly; daughter and spouse Curt & Carolyn Snow, children Carleigh, Cullen & Caden; son and spouse Brian & Rachel Delly, children Reese & Oliver and son/spouse Justin & Sophia Delly, children Jackson, Brooklyn & Isaiah. Dennis and Angie Esslinger, Wichita, Kansas: son Jason Esslinger (significant other) Deanna Dick, child Leann; daughter and spouse Josh & Libby Weed, children Caleb, Kyle and Madeline; daughter Darcy Esslinger (significant other) Alejandro Pineda, children Lily, Violet and Ethan; daughter and spouse Billy and Molly Carr, children Emma and Elouise.
Phillip Esslinger, Mankato: daughter and spouse Jason and Kameron Moebes. Mark and Sherri Jeffery, Burr Oak, Kansas: sons Dustin and Kevin Boley. Steve and Loreita Dunstan, Formoso, Kansas: daughter and spouse Jim and Mindy Tighe; son and spouse Russell and Kayla Dunstan, children Griffin and Emmit; son and spouse Tyler and Courtney Dunstan, children Cohen, Stephen and Haven. Stan and Tamara Skelton, Wichita, Kansas: daughter Amber Skelton and son Chase Skelton. Bill and Denise Kearney, Wichita, Kansas: sons Ryan and Shane Kearney. Randy & Linda Skiles, Sedgwick, KS: son Nicholas Skiles and daughter Erica Skiles. Gerald and Jennifer Templeton, Wellington, Kansas: son and spouse Michael and Rachel Murphy, children Shaylon and Cali; son Eric Murphy, children Malachi and Carter; and son and spouse Chris and Sarah Murphy. Rick and Rebecca Jengo, Salem, Virginia: son and spouse Jacob and Ashley Miller, child Claire; daughter Mallory Jengo. Starrlene Parrish (significant other) Doug Geyer, Shawnee, Kansas: sons Toby, Brayden and Mason Parrish. Darren and Kristi Esslinger, Fort Collins, Colorado: sons Cory, Devan and Logan Esslinger; sister, Leta Koel, Wichita, sister-in-law, Lorene Hessenflow, Hays and many step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mass for Christian Burial will be (was) offered, Friday, November 6, 2015, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Father Damian Richards, and Father Joseph Kieffer officiating. Music will be (was) with Karen Boden, organist and Mike Flavin, cantor. Melvin Brown will be (was) the lector. Casket bearers will be (were): Mark Jeffery, Steve Dunstan, Stan Skelton, Bill Kearney, Randy Skiles, and Gerald Templeton. Honorary casket bearers will be (were): Phyllis’ grandsons. Interment followed the mass in the St. Theresa’s Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. Visitation was Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas. Vigil service with Father Merlin Kieffer, and Rosary service with Mr. and Mrs. Vic Schoenberger, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Mankato, Kansas at 7:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to: St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Jewell County Hospital, or V.F.W. Post 7830 Auxiliary. Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of service arrangements.