Esther A. Dirksen Winner, 81, Anna, passed away of natural causes July 19, 2014, at her home.

She was born Dec. 29, 1932, in Cassella, to Clarence and Philomena Homan Dirksen. On June 8, 1955, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church, Cassella, she married Orville B. Winner, who died Feb. 21, 2007.

Surviving are six children, Mary (Jim) Billing, Anna, Alan (Renee) Winner, Degraff, Jane (Jon) Luthman, Botkins, Ted (Jodie) Winner, Sidney, Kate (Ron) Bensman, El Dorado Hills, Calif., and Jay (Colleen) Winner, Lewistown; 31 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; six siblings, Alma Schmitmeyer, Cranberry, Rita Evers, Burkettsville, Joan Poeppelman, Yorkshire, Ruth (Marvin) Evers, Coldwater, Louis (Sally) Dirksen, Portland, Ind., and Dennis (Jody) Dirksen, Cassella; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Mary Dirksen, Uvalde, Texas, Virginia Thobe, Maria Stein, Jerry (Marilyn) Winner, Fort Loramie, Marlene (Robert) Sanders, Hudson, and Carol (Sam) Morgan, Kettering.

Deceased are a grandson, Ezra Winner; two siblings, Herb Dirksen and Helen Wenning; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, George Wenning, Ernest Schmitmeyer, Ed Evers, John Poeppelman, Harold Thobe, Rosemary (Joe) Wood, Joan (Ken) Tragesser and Joe Dorsten.

She was a 1950 graduate of Marion Local High School. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and the Altar Rosary Sodality and had been a past member of Shelby County Right to Life. A devoted farmwife and homemaker, she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved nature, especially birds and flowers.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, McCartyville, the Rev. John W. Tonkin officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Calling is 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday in the church gathering room. Arrangements are being handled by Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to Wilson Hospice Care or Shelby County Right to Life.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.