Esther L. Messer

Funeral services for Esther L. Messer, 96, of Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Messer died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence.
She was born Jan. 18, 1913, in Lamar, Mo., the daughter of John W. and Martha Anne Smoots Hagen. She lived most of her life in Lawrence and was a Liberty Memorial High School graduate.
She worked for many years in the food service department for the Lawrence school district, at Lawrence High School.
She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Lawrence. She was a member of Friendship Lodge No. 574 Rebekahs, a Past Grand Matriarch of Kansas, L.E.A. Shawnee No. 3 Topeka, and the Ladies Auxiliary Patriarch Militant No. 3.
She married Gerald C. Messer on Nov. 17, 1935, in Lawrence. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1995.
Survivors include three sons, John R. and wife Darinda Messer, Lawrence, Warren Messer, Maple Valley, Wash., and Richard B. Messer and wife Cassandra Rivers, Lecompton; four grandchildren, Jill Nuti, Michael Messer, Jamie Messer and Jesse Messer; and two great-grandchildren, Karissa Nuti and Jake Nuti.
The family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
The family suggests memorials to Heart of America Hospice or to the Central United Methodist Church, sent in care of the mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com.