Dorothy Wilhelmina Esslinger

Dorothy Wilhelmina Esslinger

Dec. 20, 1919 - May 20, 2012

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Dorothy Wilhelmina Esslinger, 92, of Arapahoe, died Sunday (May 20, 2012), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe.

She was born Dec. 20, 1919, in Frontier County, Nebraska to George P. and Clara H. (Wickenkamp) Rader.

She was baptized in April of 1920 and confirmed on May 16, 1937, at Salem Lutheran Church of Elwood, Nebraska. On Sept. 17, 1940, she was united in marriage to Cornelius Esslinger at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Parsonage of rural Arapahoe, Nebraska. They farmed, living on a farm northeast of Arapahoe. In January of 1951, they moved to a farm near Hendley, Nebraska. They retired in 1979 when the family moved to Arapahoe.

Her husband, Cornelius, passed away on July 10, 1997. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe. She moved to C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in 2010.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cornelius; and brothers, Harvey, Arthur and Ernest Rader,

Survivors include son, Robert L. Esslinger of Silver City, New Mexico; daughter, Janet D. Esslinger of Arapahoe; brothers, Raymond and wife, Melba Rader of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Alfred and wife, Patsy Rader of Sumner, Nebraska, Billie and wife, Connie Rader of Sumner, Nebraska; sister, Irene Knappert of Arapahoe; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe with the Rev. James Moshier officiating. Burial will be at Arapahoe Cemetery.

Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, May 23, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe and prior to the service at the church.

Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska, is in charge of arrangements.