Esther M. Blevins, age 87, of Stapleton passed away July 4, 2017 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, NE. Esther was born May 26, 1930, in Gandy, NE, to William and Gertrude (Hughes) Fablinger. She graduated from Logan County High School in 1948. After taking normal training she began teaching rural school and attending Kearney State College in the summers. She married Byron R. Blevins on September 13, 1953 in Gandy while he was home on a 9-day leave from the U.S. Army. Byron was sent to Korea and Esther continued to teach at the Garfield School. When Byron returned to the States they lived at Fort Crowder, MO until he was honorably discharged in April of 1955. They began their farming life together on the Fablinger farm 11 miles south and east of Stapleton.

To this union were born three children; Gary Wayne, Robert Dale and David Ray. Esther was a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and Christian Woman, former member of Lifeboat Mariners, Hub Bub Extension Club and a 4-H Leader. She is survived by her 2 sons, Gary (Kelli) of Stapleton and their daughters Jaime of North Platte and Kali of Sutherland, and Robert (Janis) of Stapleton and stepson Jake Schrock of Gandy and stepdaughter Sarah Schrock of Aurora, CO; daughter-in-law Jody of Stapleton and her children Brian (Kelsea) of Superior, NE with their children Breea and Cruz, Bradley of Kearney, NE, Tyler of Lincoln, NE and stepdaughter Angie (Mike) Lyon with their children Makayla, Addyson and Selah of Grand Island, NE; sister Lucy Johnson of North Platte; brother and sister-in-law Don (Lyla) Blevins of Gandy; nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Byron; son David; granddaughter Felicia; grandson Brent; sister Alice Rockwell; sister and brother-in-law Elsie and Edgar Hubbell; brother-in-law Russell Johnson; and brother and sister-in-law Emory and Frances Long. Memorials are suggested to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton or the Stapleton Fire and Rescue and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday July 7, 2017 at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton with Pastor Eric Mockaitis officiating. Burial will follow at McCain Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday July 6, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home; and 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton. Adam and Swanson Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.(from northplattepost.com)