Esther "Lou" Peel, 87, died peacefully with her family by her side on July 15, 2013, at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Lou was born Feb. 27, 1926, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Ernest S. and Clara A. Barton Benson.

She was a 1944 graduate of Hutchinson High School and in 1968 she received her Bachelors degree from the Chicago Art Institute. Lou was married to Robert H. "Bob" Peel Jr. Jan. 17, 1947, in Hutchinson. Her first job was as an usherette at the Fox Theatre, where she saw the movie "Gone With The Wind" over 30 times. Lou worked with her family to build Peel's Beauty Supply into a company with over 500 employees. In 1985, Lou, her husband, Bob, their son, Bob Jr., and his wife, Kris, were hijacked on the TWA flight 847. All family members survived the ordeal, but it changed their lives forever. Raising money and supporting multiple charities became a focus after surviving that event. Lou started a company called the Lou Peel Institute. She was a motivational speaker and published three books.

Survivors include: her husband, Bob of 66 years; sons, Bill and his wife Susan of Omaha, Neb., Bob and his wife Kris of Hutchinson; sister, Mary Ann Mattison and her husband Jack of Hutchinson; five grandchildren, Erin and Bart Kooiman, Erika and Darren Barnes, Evan and Austin Gurba, Lindsay and Nick Marquardt, Eric and Michele Peel; four great-grandchildren, Ryland Kooiman, Cael Kooiman, Lincoln Barnes and Tate Barnes. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Margaret Bowles. Lou touched the lives of many people with her smile and social ability, and is survived by countless local and beauty industry friends.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, in Hutchinson, with Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday with the family to receive friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be in the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Breast Cancer Research at City of Hope, 20 N. Wacker #1530, Chicago, Il 60606 or sent in care of the mortuary.