Esther “Jo” Joan (Gilbert) Phlieger passed away on December 8, 2018 at her home in Stockton at the age of 81. She was born on October 3, 1937 to Carl and Elsie (Manaugh) Gilbert in Hays, Kansas. Jo married Edgar “Eddie” Phlieger in Plainville, Kansas on October 13, 1955. They were blessed with seven children: Anthony, Beth, Joan, Michele, Laura, Scott, and James.

Jo grew up in Plainville and graduated from Plainville High School. She worked as an EMT for the Plainville Ambulance for 10 years before working as a dispatcher for the Rooks County Sheriff’s Department for 16 years. Jo was very involved with her children as both a Den Mother and Girl Scout leader. She loved painting, reading, computer games, crafts, sewing, travel, and anything intellectual.

Jo is survived by her sons Anthony Phlieger and wife Pat of Jacksonville, TX, Scott Phlieger and wife Dawn of Natoma, and James Phlieger and wife Bobbie of Plainville; daughters Beth Brand and husband Dewayne of Kearney, NE, Joan Werth of Harlingen, TX, Michele Williamson and husband Kim of Bradenton, FL, and Laura Morris of Hays; sister Norma Bard of Wiggins, CO; nephew Steven Bard of Wiggins, CO; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Elsie Gilbert and husband Eddie Phlieger.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, December 14, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home in Stockton. There will be no visitation. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Humane Society of the High Plains and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.