from The Examiner (Independence, MO), Monday, January 1, 2006
Esther Mae Schletzbaum, 86, of Blue Springs, Mo. passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005.
Esther was born in Atchison, Kan. on March 3, 1919, to Earl and Nettie (Soden) VanLiew. She grew up in Atchison where she was an active member of the First Christian Church. She married Wayne Schletzbaum on Sept. 10, 1940. They began their married life on a farm north of Atchison, and later operated a farm north of Nortonville, Kan. They moved to Atchison upon retiring from the farm in 1966. Her activities included the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4-H, Rainbow Girls and church. Esther was a devoted wife, caring for her disabled husband for over 35 years. In 1975, they moved to Blue Springs, Mo. to reside at their daughter Sharon's residence. There she and Wayne watched many children who referred to her as "Grandma." She was a member of the Good Shepherd Christian Church in Blue Springs.
Esther is survived by a special friend LeRoy Bryan, a son, John and wife Donna Schletzbaum of Indianola, Iowa; two daughters, Sharon and husband Ken Steuart of Blue Springs, and Donna and husband Chris Willoughby of Omaha, Neb.; seven grandchildren, David Schletzbaum, Deanna (Schletzbaum) Dunn, Jana (Schletzbaum) Lynch, Stephanie (Steuart) Fleming, Lindsey Steuart, Christy and Brenton Willoughby; six great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; a great granddaughter, Skylar Fleming; and a brother Ralph VanLiew. Esther's positive outlook toward life, her loving and caring nature will be missed by everyone who knew her.
The family would like you to join them to celebrate her life at a visitation from 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and services afterwards at 2:30 p.m. at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Chapel in Atchison, Kan., (913) 367-6543. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial (sic Memory) Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Christian Church or the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Condolences may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.