Esther Agnes Werling (nee Meyer)

Esther Agnes Werling (nee Meyer)

Esther Agnes Werling (nee Meyer), of Olathe, Kan., died Sept. 9, 2020, at the age of 98. She was born in Grandfield, Okla., Feb. 13, 1922, to Reverend Walter H. and Anna Meyer. Esther was raised in Haven, Kan. and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School.

Esther attended both St. John’s Academy and College in Winfield, Kan., where she met her future husband and the love of her life, Dick Werling. Following graduation from SJC in 1941, Esther taught at St. James Lutheran School, Quincy, Ill., while Dick attended the University of Kansas. On Nov. 21, 1943, the two were married in Kansas City, Kan., before Dick’s WWII service in the U.S. Navy. After the war, the couple settled in Hill City, Kan., where they raised seven children.

As a loving wife and mother, Esther excelled as a homemaker. She was a wonderful cook, and her children still describe her cherry pie as the “very best!” Esther enjoyed sewing, painting, crafting, needlework, and music. That love of music and her wonderful sense of humor led to much music and laughter in the Werling household! With her warm personality, Esther made countless friends over the years and maintained loving relationships with her children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Esther had an abiding faith in Jesus, which she shared with her family. In 1960, she and Dick were charter members of Grace Lutheran Church in Hill City. Esther was active in the women’s ministry, taught Sunday school, and played the organ. She also led Saturday Bible classes for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and helped establish Sunday school classes for children with disabilities in Lutheran churches throughout Kansas.

As the mother of a son with Down Syndrome, Esther had a deep compassion for children with developmental disabilities. Seeking assistance for her son, she was instrumental in obtaining a grant, which helped establish the Kobler Center in Hill City for individuals with disabilities. Esther accepted the position as director of the center.

Following Dick’s death in 1975, Esther held various positions, including House Mother for Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the University of Kansas. In 1991, she moved to Fort Scot where she enjoyed being a crafts demonstrator at Walmart. Esther moved to Overland Park in 2009 to an independent living facility and later to Nottingham Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olathe.

Preceding Esther in death were her parents, her husband Dick, her son Billy, an infant granddaughter, and her three brothers: Reverend Karl Meyer, Arthur Meyer, and Reverend Walter Meyer. She leaves behind four daughters: Patricia Tenner (Allen), Prairie Village, Kan.; Bonnie Werling Marker, Anaheim, Calif.; Kristine Wetterhus (Jay), Morton, Ill; and, Melinda Werling, Kansas City, Mo.; two sons: Dr. Richard Werling (Cathy), Fort Scott, Kan.; and, Reverend Gary Werling (Pam), Gretna, Neb.; 14 grandchildren; and, 33 great-grandchildren.

A private family service will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kan. Interment will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Hill City, Kan. The family suggests memorial gifts be sent to the St. John’s College Alumni Association, Winfield, Kan., or to Kobler Developmental Center, Hill City, Kan. (A more detailed obituary is available at www.porterfuneralhome.com)