Esther Marie (Kraus) Deines, 95, was born August 1, 1919 in McCracken, Kansas to William Sr. and Eva Elizabeth (Schwartzkopf) Kraus. She passed away on April 28, 2015 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was confirmed on June 24, 1934.

She married Alfred Sigmund Deines on June 16, 1940 at Zion Lutheran Church. They worked alongside each other on the Deines family farm where they lived all their married life. Alfred passed away December 14, 1996.

Esther was a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent at Zion Lutheran Church She was an active member of the Ladies Group (WELCA) and Financial Secretary for the church. She was also a member of the “Stitch & Crackle” Club.

Esther leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, Judith (Carroll) Fabrizius of WaKeeney; her son, William F. (Marilyn) Deines of WaKeeney; five grandsons, Eric (Jennifer) Fabrizius of Manhattan, Kansas, David (Marie) Fabrizius of Spring Hill, Kansas, Stephen Deines of Medford, Oregon, Timothy Deines of Manhattan, Kansas, and Michael (Lindsay) Deines of WaKeeney, Kansas; fourteen great-granchildren, Madison and Ethan Fabrizius of Manhattan, Kansas, MacKenzie, Allison, and Andrew Fabrizius of Spring Hill, Kansas, Caleb and Benjamin Deines of Manhattan, Kansas, Allison, Ava, and Lucas Deines of WaKeeney, Kansas, Avery, Matthew, and Adrienne Deines of Mangum, Oklahoma, and James Deines of Medford, Oregon.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brothers, William Jr. and Henry Kraus, and two infant brothers; sisters, Pauline Stenzel and Lydia Fabricius.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, Trego Center-WaKeeney. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church. Checks made to the church may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.