ESTA LEE BRUNTON, 79, of Cambridge, Kansas, passed away Friday morning, May 30, 2008, at her home.

Born on May 11, 1929, in Winfield, Kansas, she was the daughter of Everett and Pauline (Curfman) Howe. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1946 and from Southwestern College in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Esta Lee taught elementary school and music beginning in 1947 at Grand Summit, a one room school for grades one through eight. She also taught at the Akron, South Vernon, Lone Star, Cambridge, Dexter, Cedar Vale, and Central of Burden schools.

She was united in marriage on August 10, 1950, to Herbert F. Brunton at the Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas. After retiring from teaching in 1989, she continued to show her love for children and books by reading to elementary students in her Granny B. attire. She had a special talent for music which she shared and passed on to others. Her interest and concern for people and their lives remained strong throughout her life. After a warm and hearty welcome into her home, Esta Lee would say, "Tell me about you" or "tell me about...."

Esta Lee was a member of the Cambridge Presbyterian Church where, over the years, she faithfully served as pianist, a Sunday school teacher, on the Session, with Vacation Bible School, and was an encourager. She held offices in the Cambridge Senior Citizens Center and had an active interest in community activities, serving as the Cambridge City Treasurer for a number of years, and on the Windsor Township Board. Other interests included reading and embroidery work, but most of all, time with her family.

Her family includes:
Her husband: Herb of the home;
Her son: Brad Brunton and wife Debra of Blue Springs, MO;
Her daughter: Jan Grow and husband Don of Mulvane, KS;
Her sisters: Virginia Trogdon and husband Glen of Grenola, KS; and Judy Rakestraw and husband LeRoy of Winfield, KS; and
Her grandchildren: Dr. Jason Brunton and wife Dr. Casana of Wichita, KS; Sam Brunton and Alex Brunton of Blue Springs, MO.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two infant children and a grandson, Doug Grow.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at the Cambridge Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at the Cambridge Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M., Monday, June 2, 2008. The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M., that evening.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Esta Lee's name be made to the Cambridge Presbyterian Church or the Cambridge Senior Citizens Center. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.milesfuneralservice.com.