Margie Marie (Reilly) Esping was born July 11, 1922 in Brookville, Kansas, the daughter of William and Myrtle (Meurisse) Reilly.  She was a 1940 graduate of Glendale, Kansas High School.  In 1942 she graduated from the Eberhart-Pettle Business College in Salina, Kansas.  Margie began working in the personnel office at Fort Riley, Kansas during World War II.  On June 6, 1942 Margie was united in marriage with Robert (Bob) Esping in Ellsworth, Kansas.  The union was blessed with two children: Greg Reilly and Diane Renee.

In 1947 Bob and Margie, along with Bob's brother Jim and wife Mary, purchased the Gambles Store in Harper.  Soon they added another location in Medicine Lodge.  After selling the Gambles store, Bob and Margie went into the construction business, building homes and commercial construction projects in Harper and the surrounding communities for the next 40 years.

Margie loved music, and especially enjoyed playing the piano.  She spent many hours sharing her special talent with family and friends.  She played by ear and could perform any request made of her.  Margie and Bob owned a cabin at the Anthony Lake for 40 years.  There are many wonderful memories of good times with family and friends.  They also loved to travel and enjoyed spending winters in Arizona after retiring.

Margie was a member of the Harper United Methodist Church and Chapter BV, PEO.

Margie passed away on April 28, 2019 at Attica Long Term Care at the age of 96.  She was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2004 and son in law Wade Hogan in 2017.  Margie will be deeply missed by her son Greg and wife Marie of Harper; daughter Diane Hogan of Gold Canyon, AZ; granddaughter Michelle Meecham and husband Scott of Harper; grandson Shawn Hogan and wife Genny of Queen Creek, AZ; grandson Jeff Hogan and wife Stacie of Cardiff, CA; and 6 great grandchildren.

Visitation is 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral service is 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the Harper United Methodist Church with Reverend Elizabeth Winger Young officiating.  Burial will follow at the Harper Cemetery.

Memorials in memory of Margie may be made to Harper United Methodist Church and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.