Ann Papay, age 76, of Ulysses, Kansas died Sunday, September 9, 2012 at her home in Ulysses, Kansas. She was born December 2, 1935 in Optima, Oklahoma, the youngest of twelve children of James and Lucy Paralee (Archer) Papay.

At the age of 3, Ann moved to Elkhart with her family and graduated from Elkhart High School. She began her professional career conducting door-to-door appraisals for Grant County. She was the first licensed appraiser for Grant County and the first female county appraiser in the state of Kansas. Ann was also an oil and gas appraiser. She established the Grant County Appraiser’s Office and was also the appraiser for Stanton, Morton, Stevens and Haskell counties. She was a former President of Kansas County Appraiser’s Association and served a two year term on the International Association of Assessing Officers, served on the Civil Rights Commission Board, was active in the Kansas Legislative Policy Group, eventually filing the position of Executive Director. In 2006, after 42 years of service, Ann retired from the appraisal business. Ann was one of the founders of Women of Purpose in Ulysses, a Grant County Republican Committee Chairwoman, a City Council member for the City of Ulysses, a stockholder of Trendsetters, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Ann is admired by countless people, many whose lives have been enriched by her selfless acts of kindness and giving.

She is survived by her two sons, Courtney Eslick and wife Darlene of Ulysses, Kansas, Shane Eslick and wife Denny of Lakin, Kansas; daughter, Jackie Peters and husband Allan of Great Bend, Kansas; brother, Larry Papay of Greenfield, Oklahoma; sisters, Elizabeth Kern of Elkhart, Kansas, Joy Foreman of Guymon, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James Emmett Papay, Ed Lee Papay, Guy Papay, Kenneth Lee Papay, Gerald Mack Papay, Roy Papay, Neil Archer; and one grandchild.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Grant County Civic Center in Ulysses, Kansas with Pastor Kelly Gindlesberger officiating. Graveside service will be at 3:00 PM at the Elkhart Cemetery in Elkhart, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79 in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.