Opal Grace "Tuddy" Eslinger was born on December 22, 1924 in Gibbon, Oklahoma to Daniel Ralph and Lola Madeline (Dotson) Thomas.  This is where the family made their home before moving to the Anthony area.  Tuddy attended Ferguson school during 1st through 5th grade, then 6th through 8th grade at Valley Forge school before going to Anthony High School, graduating with the class of 1942.

Tuddy went to visit Harold Wayne Eslinger when he was ill.  Their courtship began and they were married on May 18, 1947.  The wedding was a triple ceremony at the Methodist Church in Anthony with Tuddy's brother Bob Thomas and Jean Potts, and Jean's uncle Glen Patterson and Norma Kane.  To this union two sons were born, Ron in 1948 and Eric in 1950.  They celebrated 70 years together in May before Harold's passing on December 18, 2017.

The couple moved to a farm north of Harper near the Duquoin area in 1948.  Tuddy was a farmer's wife and they milked cows for several years.  She also worked outside the home as an accountant for John Deere in Anthony and then around 1970 she became a city carrier for the post office in Harper.  Tuddy always found time for her garden and flowers, especially her Irises.  For many years, Tuddy and Harold attended and were very active in the Harper Christian Church.  In April of 2020, Tuddy moved into Harper and became part of the Heritage Estates family.  The last few weeks of her life were at the Attica Long Term Care.

At the age of 96, Tuddy passed away on August 31, 2021.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Lola Thomas; husband, Harold; son, Ron; great-grandson, Hunter Voyles; brother, Robert Thomas and his wife, Jean; brothers-in-law, Bob and Bill Eslinger; sister-in-law, Ruthie Bettis and her husband, Howard; and nephew, Kenny Winkley.  Tuddy is survived by her son, Eric Eslinger and his wife, Beth of Rago, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Carol Eslinger of Harper; sister, Jeanne Eslinger of Harper; grandchildren: Kim Duvall and her husband, Thad, Matt Eslinger and his wife, Laura, Sara Voyles and her husband, Russell, Jodi Murphy and her husband, Justin, Tamara Blubaugh and her husband, George, Jennifer Bock and her husband, Bernie, and Toby Eslinger and his wife, Lori, and; seventeen great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Friends may view and register from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 3, 2021 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Harper with Pastor Ed Hughlett officiating.  Interment follows at the Duquoin Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Interim Hospice or Harper Christian Church and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas  67003.