Esther Marion Parnell

Esther Marion (Curry) Parnell was born in Dunavant, KS, on June 19, 1935, to Harold Kerr and Florence Margaret (Milligan) Curry. The family soon moved to a farm near Winchester, KS, where Esther grew up. She went on to graduate from Winchester High School in 1952 and then from the Stormont Vail School of Nursing (Topeka, KS) in 1956. While studying in Topeka, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Darrell Parnell, who was attending Washburn University. They were married on August 10, 1956, and celebrated 65 years of marriage before Darrell passed in 2022.

Esther’s life was deeply marked by her Christian faith. She and Darrell joined the Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1962 where she remained active as a member until her health prevented her. She expressed her love of Christ in many ways, perhaps most notably in serving others. Esther worked as a Registered Nurse in various Topeka hospitals and clinics, but spent much of her married life as a homemaker, raising five children and working part-time to help pay for each to pursue higher education. And though service started with her own home and children, it extended well beyond her own household. Many will remember enjoying a meal around her table, a large scoop of ice cream shared on the sunporch, a piece of pie at a church potluck, or a warm bed and overnight hospitality. Others will remember her teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, participating in the Women’s Missionary Society, or volunteering at the Topeka Rescue Mission. When she sat down for a moment by herself, it would often be at the kitchen table, quietly reading her Bible.

Esther passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024, in Lawrence, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers, Dale and Clair, and her sister, Marjorie. She is survived by her five children, seventeen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two sisters. Her children are Ray Parnell (Sandi) of Topeka, KS; Sandra Learned (Alan) of Powhatan, VA; Bruce Parnell (Vicky) of Stillwater, OK; Jonathan Parnell (Lisa) of Lawrence, KS; and Stephen Parnell (Sarah) of Shawnee, KS.

Esther’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, October 9th at 1 p.m. at the Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church (8345 SW 33rd St, Topeka, KS) with burial in the Winchester, KS Reformed Presbyterian Church cemetery afterward. The funeral service will be livestreamed, please scroll to the bottom of the page. A public visitation will be held at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel (1321 SW 10th, Topeka, KS) on Tuesday, October 8th from 5-7 p.m.

The family asks that Memorial Gifts be made to the “Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church,” or to “Bridge Haven Memory Care” in support of the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Care Providers.

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