BELTON, Mo. — Esther Elaine Grogan, 85, went home to be with Jesus on Sept. 12, 2017, from the Beautiful Savior nursing facility in Belton, Mo. She was born Aug. 29, 1932, at Larned, the daughter of John William and Florence Juanita (Bartlett) Merkel. A Kansas City area resident since 1964, coming from Kinsley and Larned, Mrs. Grogan was an LPN and professional caregiver.
Esther had a deep, abiding faith in her Savior Jesus Christ for her entire life. She faithfully served the Lord in multiple churches, including playing the piano, teaching adult Bible class and Children’s Church, producing special programs, and raising funds for Missions endeavors.
Her love for the Word of God led her to read her Bible through several times each year for herself and for other friends who could no longer read.
She looked forward with excitement to “going home.” She would often play and sing hymns about heaven with tears streaming down her face, as she embraced the precious promise of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.
Esther felt deep compassion and a mission to help those who were disabled, down and out, and alone. She took care of hundreds of patients, foster children, parolees, indigent, and those with physical and mental challenges. She worked for the Federation for the Blind, United Cerebral Palsy, and other organizations for people with challenges. She tirelessly tended to the needs of others as long as she was able, even in the hallways of the nursing home where she resided until her death.
She set a marked example of loving God with all her heart, and loving others not only in word, but in deed and in truth.
Survivors include two daughters, Crilla E. Mosiman and her husband Michael of Great Bend, and Debra C. McSwain and her husband Jody of Apple Valley, Minn.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two cousins, JoAnn Lawrence, and Norma Kelly and her husband Lynn. She was preceded in death by sons Orren Paul Grogan, and Baby Boy Grogan.
She leaves behind a host of lives touched, including special friends who stayed close to her – Ellis and Marilyn Luvin, Marla Unruh, Joyce Priest, Curtis and Dorothy Hough, David and Lisa Nienhuser, Nancy Downing, Pastor Wayne Persich, Dr. Stanley Sharp, and other dear friends and caregivers from Southside Church of Christ and Beautiful Savior.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 18, at Garfield Cemetery with Pastor Larry Schumacher officiating. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, at Bryant Funeral Home. A memorial service will also be held at a later date at Beautiful Savior Home in Belton, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Sunflower Diversified Services or Praise Ranch, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notices viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home**
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 15, 2017
