Esther Stinson

January 21, 1904 February 20, 2003 Lee's Summit, MO Esther was born in Algonquin, IL, January 21, 1904, the daughter of Charles and Anna (Gehl) Labahn. Her childhood was spent in Algonquin where she attended elementary school and graduated from Dundee High School in 1921. After a year at Beloit College, Beloit, WI, she transferred to Northern Illinois State Teachers College, graduating from there in 1923. Her first teaching assignment was in Western Springs, IL. She also taught in Chicago Heights, IL. She was married to George P. Stinson on August 7, 1926. To this union two sons, Thomas and Douglas and a daughter, Caryl were born. The family lived in Chicago Heights until 1947, when a move was made to Mountain View, MO. There, Esther was a full-time homemaker until she returned to teaching and pursued further education in 1955. In 1962, at age 58, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Drury College, Springfield, MO. She continued to teach in Mountain View and Birch Tree Schools until her retirement in 1970. Esther was an advocate of lifelong learning, encouraging her students to set goals. Many of those students found joy and fulfillment in the fields of education, nursing and management. In more than 20 years of teaching, she was privileged to touch the lives of thousands of young people. She and her husband were active members of The First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View, MO, for many years and in later years worshipped at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church of Raytown, MO. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, George; two brothers, Alfred (Bernice) and Marvin (Ann) Labahn. She is survived by her three children, Thomas K. (Lorene) of Winona, MO, Douglas P. (Fae Marie) of Toledo, WA, and Dr. Caryl S. Staples of Lee's Summit, MO; eight grandchildren, Greg Stinson (Sylvia), Phillip Stinson (Cindy), Cathy Kourcourik (Rudy), Steven Stinson (Lou Jean), Ann Stinson, Julie Stinson-Schroff (Eric), Caryl Lynn Kisner and Chris Staples (Melissa). Her 15 great-grandchildren are, Heather, Brian and Jessica Busby, Cassandra and Rudy Kourcourik, Melanie and Leslie Stinson, Thomas and Sam Stinson, Victoria and Nicholas Martin, Timber and Griffin Stinson-Schroff and Mackenzie and Madison Staples. A sister, Dorothy Schuett of Algonquin, IL, and two nephews, Richard Labahn and Donald (Jaci) Labahn and family of Evanston, IL, also survive. Even in her 99th year, she ministered to the confirmation class of her church. This week she completed a year-long mentoring commitment to a student from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Medical School in their study of aging. Additionally, she was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Missouri and had been an active member of Shepherd's Center of Kansas City. Her lifelong companions where her Bible, a globe and an ever-changing assortment of books. Esther's Christian beliefs, her ethics and value system and her gentle and loving ways endeared her to all who were privileged to know her during her 99 years on this earth. The Reverend David Cliburn officiated at a service preceding interment in the family cemetery at Algonquin, IL. A memorial service will be held at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church at a date to be announced. Memorials may be made to the Youth Group of Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church of Raytown, MO; to Tuesday's Kids of Mountain View Presbyterian Church of Mountain View, MO; or to Hospice of John Knox Village, Lee's Summit, MO. (Arrangements: Sheil Colonial Funeral Home). Our lives were enriched by her intellect, blessed by her goodness and graced by her presence.