Marcella M. “Sally” Esslinger, 77 of Lexington passed away Monday, June 26, 2018 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Lexington after a ten year battle with cancer.
Sally was born in Ord, Nebraska, near the Loup River, to Milford and Myrtle (Bartos) Naprstek. She moved with the family to the Lexington area when she was six months old.
Sally was united in marriage to Wesley Esslinger on August 30, 1959 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington. Sally and Wes have always been very active in church activities.
Sally worked at Lexington Community Hospital and later Monroes. She then was co-owner of the Sale Barn Cafe before being a waitress at several Lexington businesses including Little Paris, the Leprechaun and The Vet’s Club. She was a great people person, so these jobs fit her to a tee. She enjoyed traveling, especially her trips to Daytona in February for many years with Wes and Sandie. She spent many nights watching racing at local tracks. In later years she enjoyed watching the Food Network, when racing wasn’t on TV. Sally and Wes enjoyed dancing for many years and Sally enjoyed bowling in league. Sally also always enjoyed being with her large family.
Survivors include her husband, Wes of Lexington; children, Sandie and husband Bob Anderson of Lexington, Rick and wife Jill Esslinger of Cozad and Sherry and husband Shane Area of Overton; three brothers: Milton (Arla) Naprstek of Minden, Melvin Naprstek of Metter, Georgia and Milford (Loretta) Naprstek of Lexington; four sisters, Marilyn Fuqua of Kearney, Mary Ann Todd of Simi Valley, California, Martha Dory of Lexington and Marjorie (George) Trent of Columbus, Nebraska; ten grandchildren, Katie Rhodig, Lynn Forster, Korey Forster, Seth Area, Brett Area, Andrew Area, Amanda Area, Samantha Area, Steven Area and Mica Esslinger. Nine great-grandchildren, with baby girl Area on the way. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
The family would like to extend special gratitude to Vesta Liehs, Karen Latter, Diana Underwood, Trudy Svoboda and Char Barron & Elaine Peck, affectionately known as the Elves.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Sharon Forster, two brothers, Marvin and Marion and two sisters, Maxine Rieker and Marsha Pearson, brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws and extended family.
Visitation will be held Sunday, July 1, 2018 from 3-5 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 2, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastors Rob Kuefner and Bill Ohlmann, officiating.
Interment will be in the Elwood Cemetery in Elwood, Nebraska.
Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences, please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
