Amelia Essner

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Amelia T. Essner, 84, of New Hamburg passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was the beloved wife of the late Cyrill A. Essner, who preceded her in death in 1976.

Amelia, daughter of Frank and Mary Bles Kieffer, was born March 24, 1921, in Kelso, Mo. Cyrill and Amelia were married Aug. 17, 1939, and were blessed with two sons who survive: Larry R. (Mary) of Cape Girardeau and Richard L. (Rebecca) of Perryville, Mo.; six grandchildren, Sandy (Kevin) Ross, Rick Jr. (Jill) Essner, Kevin (Gwen) Essner, Jason (Leslie) Essner, Jennifer Essner and Holly Essner; seven great-grandchildren, Trevor, Cameron and Hunter Ross, Dylan, Brooke, Morgan and Luke Essner.

She is also survived by a brother, Andrew (Lucille) Kieffer of Kelso; a sister, Mary Joan Backfish of Benton, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary 6420, St. Ann's Ladies Sodality, and New Hamburg Homemakers Club.

Visitation will be at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. A parish prayer service will be held at 6 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be concelebrated by the Rev. Normand Varone, Monsignor Richard Rolwing and the Rev. Tom Kiefer at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

The family would like to extend its special thanks to the Lutheran Home and Hospice for their care and love.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Community Counseling Center Foundation or Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation.