Dorothy B. Essmiller, 89, died September 19, 2010 at her Great Bend, Kansas, home. She was born June 1, 1921 at Great Bend the daughter of Harry and Ruby Travis LeRoy. She married Ralph Essmiller August 3, 1941 at Great Bend. He died August 9, 1974. She was a farm wife and bookkeeper for McDonald Tank and Equipment Co., Inc. Mrs. Essmiller was a lifetime Great Bend resident. Mrs. Essmiller was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, deacon, and church treasurer, Church School Teacher, all offices in Presbyterian Women, and an Association of Churches representative. She was a charter member of Liberty FCE Unit, 4-H leader, and served as secretary of the county FCE Council. She was also secretary of the board of directors for the Community Hospital Association, board member of Golden Belt Community Concert Association and was chosen as BPW Woman of the Year in 1984, and American Legion Auxiliary, serving as historian. Mrs. Essmiller instigated the first I Can Cope sessions for cancer patients and their families and was a member of the 3 Cs Cancer Support Group. Survivors include two sons: David Essmiller and wife Deanna, Great Bend; and Don Essmiller, Dallas, Texas; one brother, Robert LeRoy and wife Lou Ann, Great Bend; two sisters, Lois Marshall, Great Bend; and Mildred Harders and husband Bob, Great Bend; four grandchildren: Miles Essmiller and wife Jessica, Hermosa Beach, Calif., Adlee Snyder and husband Scot, Olathe, Kansas, Larissa Fleming-Michaelis and husband Mike, Great Bend; and Nathan Fleming and wife Traci, Great Bend; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Sept. 27, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend, with the Reverend Dr. Scott Solether officiating. Interment at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, in care of the funeral home.