Harlene Ray Esther (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Harlene Ray Esther 91 of Bolivar, Missouri, passed away on Thursday November 14, 2024, at CMH. She was born December 30, 1932, in Bolivar to Harold and Elva Stewart. She graduated from Bolivar High School in 1951. They were the Tigers back then. She went to Southwest Missouri State for one semester and then transferred to Southwest Baptist College when her father passed away. While going to school she helped her mother in the license bureau.
She married Robert Johnson in 1955 and into this union a daughter Roberta (Johnson) Doke was born in 1959. Harlene took over the license bureau after her mother passed away in 1971. She went to work at Southwest Baptist University in 1975 when the political party changed in 1974.
On March 11, 1988, Harlene married Dean Esther. They resided in Pleasant Hope until 1995, when they moved back to Bolivar. They enjoyed taking trips and going to Missouri Fox Trotter horse shows.
After she retired from Southwest Baptist University in 1994, she enjoyed taking care of her grandkids and going to their ballgames. She volunteered at the Polk County Museum and took an active part in the Historical Society.
Harlene is preceded in death by her parents Harold (Harley) and Elva Stewart, husband Dean Esther, Sister Ernestine Kinsey and husband Woodrow, stepson Arthur Esther.
Surviving is daughter Roberta (Johnson) Doke and husband Jim of Brighton, Missouri; one Nephew Tim Kinsey and wife Cindy of Wilmington, North Carolina; two nieces Sharon Black and husband Joe of Hillsboro, Oregon and Cindy Goefft and husband Mike of San Anselmo, California; Step-daughter Deanna Burns of Bolivar, Missouri; Step-son Robert Esther and wife Zanita of Springfield, Missouri; Sister In-law Janet Esther of Lebanon, Missouri; Step-daughter in-law Buena Esther of St. Louis, Missouri; four grandchildren: Jamie Crocker of Wellington, Florida Jennifer Byrne husband Barry of Bolivar, Missour, Jay Robert Doke of Brighton, Missouri, Stacey (Burns) Yoakum of Dixon, Mo.; Step-Grandchildren Hillary (Esther) Lord and husband Micheal of St. Louis, Missouri; Amber Timmerman and husband Mark of Halfway, Missouri; Audrey Esther of St. Louis, MO; Adam Arnold of Springfield, Missouri; Michael Esther of Springfield, Missouri; Kelsey Esther of Springfield, Missouri. Great Grandchildren John and Cash Crocker of Wellington Florida, Anna and Charlie Byrne of Bolivar, Missouri, Tyson Reathaford of Dixon, Missouri and many other step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Also, one Grand dog Marley Raye Doke.
Services for Harlene will be held at Butler Funeral Home on Monday, November 18, 2024, starting at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held an hour prior on Monday, starting at 10:00 AM.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.
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