Esther Gilstrap

Esther Clark Gilstrap passed from this earthly existence at Villa St. Francis, Olathe, KS to her great heavenly adventure on Monday, November 8, 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on the family farm near Lillis, Kansas on March 3, 1932, the youngest of six children born to William Price and Mary Hayes Clark. She graduated from Frankfort High School in 1949, and attended Clarks Business School in Topeka, KS. It was while working at Goodyear Tire and Rubber company that she met her husband-to-be, William R. (Bill) Gilstrap. They were married on August 2, 1958 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort, Kansas. Esther worked in numerous administrative support positions during her career, including Wolfe’s Camera Shop, League of Women Voters, John Robb Company, and USD 501. She retired in 1991. Esther and Bill loved to travel and visited 47 states during their marriage. Esther was a lover-of-life, had a beautiful singing voice, played the piano, loved to dance, and most of all loved her family and friends with great passion. She will be sorely missed by all of us. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Meri “Diane” Kendall; sisters Dorothy Kotapish and Margaret “Peg” Wempe; and brothers William “Bill” Clark, James J. (Bud) Clark, and Alfred Clark. She is survived by her husband, William R. “Bill” Gilstrap of Lenexa, KS; daughters Julie Reid of Lenexa and Kelley (Chris) Kimery, of Lexington, SC; son Greg (Mary) Gilstrap of Anthem, AZ; grandchildren Erin Reid (Jason) Albright, Megan Reid, Katy Kendall (Chris) Woods, Andrew Gilstrap, Amanda Gilstrap (Stephen) Bradner, William “Will” Gilstrap, Griffin Kimery, and her new great-granddaughter, Cecily Diane Woods. Esther will be cremated. A rosary will be held at 6 p.m., followed by visitation at 6:30 – 8 p.m., on Thursday, November 11 at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 12 at 11 a.m. at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th, Topeka, KS, with inurnment immediately following at Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum, 17th and Fairlawn, Topeka, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Esther’s home for the last eighteen months, Villa St. Francis, 16600 W 126th St, Olathe, KS 66062.

Esther Gilstrap

March 3, 1932 - November 8, 2010