Gladys Ruth (Woelk) Esau passed away December 31, 2013 in Newton. She was born February 19, 1931 in Goessel to Henry and Anna Woelk.
Gladys attended and graduated from Walton School in 1949. She married Marvin Esau at the Walton Mennonite Church on November 6, 1949. She became a member of the Bethel College Mennonite Church where she taught in the nursery and preschool Sunday School class for more than 29 years. She taught at the Newton Community Playschool for years and served on the board. She was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader. She served on the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony board for several years. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed many crafts. She fought a valiant battle with Parkinson's Disease. She started a Red Hat Society in Walton.
Survivors: husband, Marvin Esau of Walton; daughters, Donna Keith) Woolery of Newton; Linda (David Miller) of Wichita; son, John (Shirley ) Esau of Walton and daughter-in-law, Becky Esau of Walton. She was preded in death by her oldest son, Dwaine in November. She is survived by sisters, Ruth Baresch and Norma (David) Agatstein of New York City; brother-in-law, Irvin Peters of Buhler; sister-in-law, Marcie Woelk of Hutchinson; 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Services will be held January 4, 2014 at Bethel College Mennonite Church with burial in the Walton Cemetery.
