On November 8, 2023, Eunice Jane Unruh Esau left us to join her loved ones with Jesus in heaven. She was born to Harrison and Anna (Schroeder) Unruh in Hillsboro, Kansas, on Dec. 23, 1928, an early Christmas present. Having a birthday around Christmas wasn’t always a joy for Eunice. As a child, she would often plan her birthday during the summer inviting friends over and forgetting to inform her parents until after the guests started arriving at their farm between Durham and Hillsboro. But that was Eunice: full of ideas fueled by her high energy. Being the youngest, she might even have been spoiled by her two older brothers, Chester and Allen, and her older sister, Dorothy.
Things changed when Dorothy married Reinhold Schmidt and started her family. Eunice was still in grade school, but spent much of her time babysitting her nephew, Randy, and niece, Betta Ruth.
Eunice attended the Hillsboro schools and often would spend the winters with family in town. She especially enjoyed her cousin, Sylvia. They got into many scrapes together since both were ornery and boy crazy.
Eunice graduated from high school and attended Bethel College for two years where she met and married a handsome blonde, Willis “Cot” Esau, whom she first noticed on the Bethel College basketball team. They were married on the third floor of the administration building in the chapel on the Bethel College campus in 1948. Living in student housing and finishing up college found them busy as Eunice was working as a secretary to get “Cot” through college. Upon graduation, they moved to Ransom, Kansas where they had their first child, Sherry Sue. Willis was teaching high school chemistry and coaching. His second job was in Osage City where Eunice gave birth to Rex Dale.
With two children in tow, Eunice and Willis moved to Kansas City, where “Cot” attended UMKC School of Dentistry, and Eunice continued to mother while selling Tupperware. Vickie Lynn was born during this time. Their last move to Hutchinson was where Dr. W. R. Esau set up his practice and Eunice ran the household. Todd was born in 1963, and the family was complete.
Eunice wisely insisted her children were raised in the church. She attended First Mennonite in Hutchinson until she passed away. She was active, serving in many capacities, and always baking lots of zweibach which she would deliver to any guests inclined to visit her church or sell at the MCC Sale in the spring. Eunice was a friend to all. She never knew a stranger which was demonstrated by her conversational gifts. Often on family vacations, she would know everyone before leaving the resort. People fascinated her. Even in the last five years, when she suffered from dementia, she found joy in sitting in the lobby of the nursing home watching people come in and out of the building and greeting them with a friendly, “hi.”
Life blessed Eunice and Cot with 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and many friends who were like family. Eunice has watched many friends and family, including her beloved husband, Cot (2016) leave this earth, and now we can only imagine the celebration welcoming Eunice into heaven.
Her family was blessed to have a mother/mother-in-law, and grandmother with her energy and lust for life. Children are Sherry (Mark) Krehbiel of Salina, Rex (Connie) Esau of Austin, Vickie (Bob) Howard of Kansas City, and Todd (Julie) Esau of Hutchinson. Grandchildren are Mindy Burr, Kyle (Kara) Krehbiel, Jacob (Erin) Krehbiel, Kateisha (Fabian) Porta, Cole (Meghan) Esau, Travis (Jenni) Howard, Straton (Caroline) Howard, Halie (C.J.) Heinz, Jordan (Ashley) Esau, Natasha Esau, and Michaela Esau.
We will miss our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. We will miss her kisses, her eyes lighting up when we visited, and her winks. Yes, those special winks. There was one for everyone.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at First Mennonite Church, 52 Rambler Rd., Hutchinson, Kansas. Inurnment will take place in the columbarium at First Mennonite Church. Memorials may be given to First Mennonite Church or Bethel College and can be sent in care of Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E.30th Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67502. The memorial service will be live streamed.