Esther "Gene" Krill

Esther Gene Krill, 95 of Wakarusa, Kansas passed away at her home on Sunday, April 25th 2021.

She was born May 18th 1925 in her family's 2 story farmhouse in Wakarusa, Kansas. She was the daughter of Noble Glenn and Junia Genieve (Perry) Garrett. Known by many as Gene, she was the third oldest of nine children.

She graduated from Baldwin High School. She treasured her 54 years of marriage to Donald Charles Krill. She went on to work for 26 years at Forbes Air Force Base. She retired as the only known woman to serve as a Biological Chemical Disaster Preparedness Warfare Instructor. She was very involved in her church and community. There she was a life time member of Wakarusa Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.

More than anything she felt so fortunate to have the joy and privilege of enjoying five generations of family. You could always find her at her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids sporting events, music concerts, and graduations; as she was their biggest cheerleader.

Gene and Don enjoyed several years traveling in their 5th wheel, camping all the way from Florida to Canada. When she wasn't traveling, she was camping here locally at Melvern Lake with all of her family. She and Don loved taking the kids fishing, swimming, and skiing in the boat. It was a family right of passage to learn how to play Pitch at her little camper dinette table.

She looked forward to celebrating every holiday with her large family at her home. She was a wonderful cook; and therefore, well known for her turtle pancakes, mac and cheese, and her incredible lasagna.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her two children Linda (Wayne) Rose Spry (Krill) and Larry C. Krill. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Glenn, Rex, Floyd (Buster), Max, Frank, Gerald and one sister Elsie June (Garrett) Tucker.

Survivors include her son Donald Charles Krill Jr (Jan) and her sister DeLora (Garrett) Blanck. Her grandchildren Dana (Rita) Hazen, Leslie (Mike) Richards, Lacey (Kevin) Baldwin, Melissa (Christian) Avalos, Christine Merryman, Shelly (Troy) Fruits, Kelly (John) Burrows, Dan (Tara) Spry, Jeff (Mona) Kurtz, Jeremy (Margorie) Alves, and Justin (Annie) Alves. Great Grandkids – Amber (Jared) Meier, Ashley Hazen, Addi Hazen, Austin (Logan) Richards, Natalie Richards, Trenton Smith, Mya Smith, Parker Baldwin, Loren Baldwin, Cole Avalos, Blake Avalos, Callen Avalos, Logan Merryman, Avery Merryman, Kenneth (Kaylani) Bronson, David Bronson, Dakota Allen, Cooper Spry, Jacob (Grace) Kurtz, Andrew (Madison) Kurtz, Jace Kurtz, Skyler Kurtz, Spencer Alves, Owen Alves, and Joey Alves. Great-great Grandkids – Maddox Meier, Maddyn Meier, Kinsley Bronson, Karl Bronson, and Evelyn Kurtz.

Last but not least, she is so grateful to all of her family, friends, and community who made the last several years of living in her home possible. She enjoyed all the special treats folks dropped off and the afternoon visits to keep her company. Thank you to all the wonderful staff and nurses at Midland Hospice Care who went above and beyond to take care of her.

The visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Wakarusa Presbyterian Church in Wakarusa, Kansas. Graveside Service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Shawnee Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Wakarusa Presbyterian Church or Midland Hospice Care.

To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.