MEADE – Esther M. Rees, age 85, died Thursday evening, February 25, 2010, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.

She was born April 19, 1924, in rural Meade County, the daughter of Emil and Ela (Cordes) Eckhoff. As a young girl she attended the Meade school system, graduating from Meade High School. A lifetime resident of Meade, she was a store clerk, having worked for Barnes Cleaners and the Five and Dime store.

She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Meade. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

On May 18, 1958, she married Donald L. Rees at St. John Lutheran Church in Meade. He survives.

Other survivors include:
A daughter, Darla Sue Stegman and husband, Alva of rural Guymon, Oklahoma

Two grandchildren, Ryan Stegman and wife, Tanya, and Cody Stegman Four great-grandchildren, Dalton, Bryston, Brooklynn, and Rylee Stegman

She is preceded in death by a son, Kelly Don Rees; her parents; and a brother, Leo Eckhoff.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Church, Meade, with the Reverend Lynn E. Spencer presiding. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday and from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade.

The family would welcome memorials to the St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home.