EVA KATHERINE ESSNER

Eva Katherine Essner, 95, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born Nov. 19, 1901, at Kelso, daughter of Louis and Mary Ellen Drury Dannenmueller. She married Leon C. Essner Dec. 29, 1924, in St. Louis. He died March 8, 1987.

They lived in the Benton area on a farm for two years after their marriage.

She taught at Schererville, Kelso and rural Whitewater schools. She was a nurse's aide at Southeast Missouri Hospital for four years, a graduate of Fornfelt High School and attended Teachers College. She was a member of Western Catholic Union, Cathedral Ladies and Daughters of Isabella.

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Froemsdorf of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four sisters.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel where parish prayers will be said at 7 tonight.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Cathedral by the Rev. Glenn Eftink. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.