Obituary for Irene Gestenslager
Irene Gestenslager, 89, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. She was born December 31, 1930 in Garden City the daughter of Martin Nusser, Sr. and Melusine (Trimpe) Nusser.
Irene grew up in the Garden City area where she attended Prairie Lawn School. She then attended Garden City High School where she graduated in 1947. On September 28, 1948, she married E.L. “Gus”
Gestenslager in Rocky Ford, Colorado. They lived in Rocky Ford, Pueblo, LaJunta, and Manitou Springs, before moving back to Garden City in 1950.
Irene worked at Roses House of Flowers and later at County Emporium. She also worked as a bookkeeper for their family businesses, Gestenslager Drilling and Centric Water Well Services. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Garden City; the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League; a lifetime member and past president of the PTA; served as a Boy Scout Leader; and served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. Irene enjoyed her flower gardens, ceramics, sewing, “Butterflies & Things” and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include a son Stephen L. & wife Evelyn Gestenslager of Fishers, Indiana; four daughters Sharron L. & husband Harry Lynn Hutchison of Grand Island, Nebraska, Shannon L. & husband Jeff Gigot of Garden City, Kansas, Susan A. & husband James VanDiest of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Sally D. & husband James “Pete” Hessman of Beaver, Oklahoma; a brother Martin “Marty” & wife Judy Nusser of Garden City, Kansas; five sisters Rosetta Martin of Lubbock, Texas, Joyce Williams of Lubbock, Texas, JoAnna Boles of Andover, Kansas, Lena Adams of Winfield, Kansas, and Dr. Edith “Edie” & husband Gary Jones of San Angelo, Texas; twelve grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Irene is preceded in death by her husband Gus who died on March 21, 2002. She is also preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters Melusine Algrim and Opal Sroufe.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City with Pastor Michael Hageman officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City, and the family will be at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday to visit with friends. The family suggests memorials given to Trinity Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.
Irene grew up in the Garden City area where she attended Prairie Lawn School. She then attended Garden City High School where she graduated in 1947. On September 28, 1948, she married E.L. “Gus”
Gestenslager in Rocky Ford, Colorado. They lived in Rocky Ford, Pueblo, LaJunta, and Manitou Springs, before moving back to Garden City in 1950.
Irene worked at Roses House of Flowers and later at County Emporium. She also worked as a bookkeeper for their family businesses, Gestenslager Drilling and Centric Water Well Services. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Garden City; the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League; a lifetime member and past president of the PTA; served as a Boy Scout Leader; and served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. Irene enjoyed her flower gardens, ceramics, sewing, “Butterflies & Things” and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include a son Stephen L. & wife Evelyn Gestenslager of Fishers, Indiana; four daughters Sharron L. & husband Harry Lynn Hutchison of Grand Island, Nebraska, Shannon L. & husband Jeff Gigot of Garden City, Kansas, Susan A. & husband James VanDiest of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Sally D. & husband James “Pete” Hessman of Beaver, Oklahoma; a brother Martin “Marty” & wife Judy Nusser of Garden City, Kansas; five sisters Rosetta Martin of Lubbock, Texas, Joyce Williams of Lubbock, Texas, JoAnna Boles of Andover, Kansas, Lena Adams of Winfield, Kansas, and Dr. Edith “Edie” & husband Gary Jones of San Angelo, Texas; twelve grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Irene is preceded in death by her husband Gus who died on March 21, 2002. She is also preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters Melusine Algrim and Opal Sroufe.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City with Pastor Michael Hageman officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City, and the family will be at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday to visit with friends. The family suggests memorials given to Trinity Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.