Esther E. Merklein

Esther Elizabeth (Beckman) Merklein, eldest child of Arthur J. and Margaret C. (Fritsch) Beckman, was born on the farm southwest of Phillipsburg, Kansas on October 24. 1911. She passed away September 24, 2006 at Phillips County Hospital Long Term Care in Phillipsburg at the age of 94.

She received Holy Baptism in the family home on November 21, 1911 by Pastor Schulz, and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith June 27, 1926 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Belmont Township, with Isaiah 53:5 as her confirmation Bible verse.

Esther attended and graduated from the Silver Light rural school, and then graduated from Speed High School with the class of 1929. The following year she took a post graduate course of Normal Training at the Phillipsburg High School. For ten years she taught in local rural schools, and then served as a social worker in the Phillips County Welfare office for six years.

On November 7, 1945, she was united in marriage to Carl Merklein in the Zion Lutheran Church. To this union was born one son, John Paul Arthur, who died shortly after birth.

The couple lived on the Merklein farm southwest of Stuttgart, Kansas, where they opened their home and their hearts to Jeanette Moore, who stayed with them during her high school years. They also cared for Carl's mother until her health failed, and she passed away in 1966. Pauline, John T. and Mary Kathleen Merklein spent many days of their childhood on the farm with Carl, Esther and Grandma.

Esther was a loyal and faithful member of her church, and taught many years of Sunday School and Bible School at both Zion and Emmanuel Lutheran Churches. In 2001, when her health began to fail, she entered Phillips County Hospital Long Term Care.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Carl, and her infant son.