Esther B. Ragsdale, 94, died May 9, 1995, at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 3, 1900 at Farnam to Charles and Edith Grooms Brasch. She was raised in the Farnam community. She attended Teachers College at Kearney and she taught school before she married Clarence A. Ragsdale on Oct. 17, 1923, in Norton, Kansas.

They moved to Gothenburg in 1947 and Mrs. Ragsdale renovated and rented numerous homes throughout the years in Gothenburg.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by a daughter, Betty Butler of Gothenburg; a brother, Martin Brasch of Casa Grande, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1973; a son, Barney; a brother, Clarence; and a sister, Ruth Schmeeckle.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Gothenburg with Pastors Tim Burke and Larry Viter officiating. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. A memorial has been established.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Blase Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Submitted by Dale Rice