Esther Marie Pfannenstiel, 96, passed away on Nov. 2, 2024, surrounded by family at University of Kansas Health Systems – Great Bend, Kan. She was born on May 5, 1928, in La Crosse, Kan., to Joseph and Anna (Weber) Randa. On Oct. 19, 1949, she married Elmer “Red” Pfannenstiel in Liebenthal, Kan. He passed on June 21, 1984.

A resident of Great Bend since 1952, and prior to becoming a resident of Azria Health Woodhaven in 2015, Esther was a homemaker. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima and the Altar Society. Esther was an avid reader and enjoyed watching her soap operas.

Survivors include four children, William J. Pfannenstiel of Yuma, Ariz., Diana Waterhouse of Great Bend, Terry Pfannenstiel and wife Laureen of Rome, Italy, and Lila Vondracek and husband Charles of Timken; ten grandchildren, Malinda Holcombe and husband Jeffrey, Dennis Pfannenstiel, Samantha Waterhouse, Shelby Waterhouse and wife Jessica, Shareah Hubbard and husband Mike, Kristen Murry and husband Jeffrey, Kyle Pfannenstiel and wife Bree, Haley Vondracek, Jared Vondracek, and Laken Vondracek; eleven great grandchildren, Arturo “A.J.”, Aniston, Mason, Kayla, Kennedy, Quinten, Jaxson, Wylder, Logan, Leo and Nora; and numerous other loved ones. She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; stillborn daughter, Lila Pfannenstiel; her parents; two brothers; a sister; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Pfannenstiel.

Visitation will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, with Altar Society rosary at 4 p.m., family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and vigil with rosary at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. The family requests that guests dress casually and if possible, wear purple or lavender, in honor of Esther’s favorite color. Memorials have been designated to American Diabetes Association or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. 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, Nov. 5, 2024