Ella Lester 1931-2018

Ella Marie Lester, 86, Kansas City, Mo., died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Mo.

She was born July 27, 1931, in Holton, the daughter of Ray Ernest and Anna Bennett Simmons. She graduated from Soldier High School in 1950 and had lived in the Kansas City area since 1968.

Mrs. Lester was a homemaker.

She married Robert E. Lester on April 15, 1950, in Holton. He died May 21, 2012. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Willis Simmons.

Survivors include four children, Dennis Lester and wife Nancy, Kansas City, Mo., Lois Roe and husband Roger, Oceanside, Calif., Judy Bashlor and husband Tom, Claycomo, Mo., and Ron Lester, Independence, Mo.; a sister-in-law, Helen Simmons, Topeka; five grandchildren, Jess Bashlor, Celia Chalfant, James Roe, Kim Bashlor and Bryan Bashlor; and two great-grandchildren, Evan and Chase.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Olive Hill Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.