Sandra Sue "Sandy" Essmiller, 66, died October 12, 2011 at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, California. She was born January 13, 1945 at Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Lester Arnold and Clara LaVergne (Hanhardt) Hagerman. She was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church, Albert. She was a 1963 graduate of Otis High School and a 1967 graduate of Kansas State University, receiving a degree in Home Economics. She married Jim Essmiller in June 1968 at Peace Lutheran Church. They later divorced. She worked as a manager at Wal-Mart and more recently for USD 428 as a special education teacher. She grew up in Rush County, Kansas, and had been a longtime Great Bend resident. Ms. Essmiller was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, especially in women's groups and church leadership. She was a square-dancer and had a lifetime love for quilting and sewing and found her greatest joy in being a grandma, spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow. Survivors include her companion, L. R. Stoskopf, Hoisington, Kansas; two sons: Kyle Essmiller, Edmond, Oklahoma; and John Essmiller and wife Kimberly, South Pasadena, California; one sister, Karen Wiltse and husband Ken, Timken, Kansas; and three grandchildren: James Essmiller and Kennedy Essmiller, Edmond, Oklahoma; and their mother Kathy Essmiller, Edmond; and Emiko Essmiller, South Pasadena. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Reverend James A. Strasen will officiate. Burial will be in Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery, Albert. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 21, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the USD 428 Foundation, to benefit Special Education, in care of the funeral home.