Esther Fitzsimmons

Esther Fitzsimmons

Esther Fitzsimmons, age 89, resident of Redfield, Kan., died Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Fort Scott Manor. She was born Jan. 16, 1925, in Redfield, the daughter of Burr and Nellie Post Williams. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1943. After receiving her teaching certificate from Pittsburg, she taught one year. During the war, she worked at the ammunition plant in Eudora, Kan. She married Alan "Dean" Fitzsimmons on Jan. 19, 1947, in Redfield. He preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 1996. After attending cosmetology school in Topeka, she worked for two different beauty shops in Fort Scott. She opened her own shop in 1960, which she operated until December of 2013, when health concerns forced her retirement. Esther was an active member of the Redfield Ruritan. When not working at the shop, she enjoyed working outdoors, especially mowing. She liked to cross stich, quilt, and most importantly, spend time with her family.

Survivors include three daughters, Nancy Stoughton and husband Jerry, Fort Scott, Janet Larkin and husband Bob, Fort Scott, and Kathy Lewis and husband Tom, Redfield; two brothers, Lewis Williams and wife Nelda, Redfield, and Roy Williams and wife Sue, Branson, Mo.; six grandchildren, Susan Byram and husband Kevin, Jason Stoughton, Amy Barrie and husband Matt, Bret O'Dell, Ryan Lewis and wife Amber, and Greg Lewis; step-grandson, Fred Stoughton and wife Dianna; 13 great grandchildren with one on the way; two step-great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

There was cremation. Rev. Jared Witt will conduct memorial services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. before the service. Memorials are suggested to the Redfield Ruritan and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com