Scott Edward Esslinger

Scott Edward Esslinger (also known as, Scooter, Scotty, Edward) was born on September 24, 1969 in Norton, Kansas to Dean and Linda (Pfannenstiel) Esslinger. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side on May 9, 2025 after a courageous three year battle with cancer at the age of 55.
Scott grew up in Norton on the family ranch with his siblings and parents. As a child he attended school at Eisenhower Elementary, Norton Jr High and NCHS where he graduated in May of 1988. He spent his childhood riding horses and motorcycles, hunting (losing the coonhounds, not coming home until the wee hours of the morning and then having to face mom), fishing (while skipping school, sorry mom), playing cards (ask Brett about the cheat signs) and working on the ranch, which is where his passion for the ranch life began. After graduation, he guided hunts for Wilderness Lodge Outfitters in Montana for a year. He then returned home to attend Colby Community College before returning to the ranch to work with his dad, his brother Kevin, and one of his lifelong friends, Jimmy. He stayed at the ranch until his passing and his legacy will continue on with his children, grandchildren and brother. On April 27, 1991 he married his high school sweetheart, Shannon Lea Beck. Scott and Shannon started a family and had 4 children together, Tyler, Clayton, Kenzie and Garrett. While balancing a heavy workload and a very active family, Scott also managed to find time for some of the things he still loved to do. Sunday afternoons you could find him at the river playing horseshoes and volleyball, cutting firewood, hunting, playing cards or just hanging out and socializing with his friends and family. His greatest pride and joy were his children and his grandchildren. He loved nothing more than spending time with all of them while also enjoying his other activities. Shed hunting with the entire family every spring was always a highlight as well as the annual brandings. Later in life he picked up the game of golf, and though he wasn't the best, he enjoyed the game and time spent with his close friends and family. He was known for his infectious smile, signature laugh and those dimples that were constantly present. He will be greatly missed by all. Scott was a member of the Norton Archery Club, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Scott is survived by his wife Shannon, of the home; children: Tyler Esslinger of Norton, Clayton (Kortney) Esslinger of Norton, Kenzie (Kobie) Unterseher of Norton, and Garrett (Alexa Long) also of Norton; grandchildren: Braxton, Harper, Holden, Hayden and Brigdon; parents: Dean and Linda Esslinger of Norton; siblings: Cindy (Curtis) Lowry of Almena and Kevin (Tara) Esslinger of Norton; more aunts, uncles and cousins than can be counted and many friends. He was preceded in death by his younger brother Mark, paternal grandparents: Melvin and Rosella Esslinger and maternal grandparents: Felix and Betty Pfannenstiel.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, May 14, 2025 at the funeral home. A wake service and rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. following the visitation at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Scott Esslinger Memorial Fund and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com