Esther A. Schroeder

Esther Ann Schroeder was born April 23, 1917, to John D. and Rose Ostendorf Bartels in Belmont, WI. She was confirmed at the Belmont Lutheran Church and attended school in Belmont, graduating from Belmont High School in 1934. During her senior year, Esther had been a Junior 4-H Leader. After graduation, she moved to LeRoy where she met Clarence Ellingson. They were married September 1, 1940, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Three children were born to this union - Marlys, Loren, & Lowell. Clarence died in 1969. In 1979, Esther was married to Roy Schroeder. He preceded her in death in 1987. Esther had worked as a waitress in LeRoy and Albert Lea before being employed as a secretary at Queen Stove/Fountain Industries. She played the piano and violin and was a member of the choir, singing German hymns in church. Esther's hobbies included crocheting, sketching, and baking. Survivors include her daughter, Marlys Don Ward; son, Loren Betty Ellingson; daughter-in-law, Judy Ellingson; grandchildren: Michelle Doug Lapp, Karla Keith McDonald, Anne Jeff Short, Audrey Rich McMahon, Amy Jay Reeder, Abby Ellingson, Jeffrey Ellingson, Jim Ward, and Debbie Jerry Gille; 15 great-grandchildren; 6 step children; and many step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Clarence and Roy; son, Lowell Ellingson in 2000; brothers, Donald and Orville Bartels; and sisters: Arlene, Gladys, and Mildred. Special thanks to Sandy Stephens and Eileen Holty and her caregivers at St. John's Lutheran Home.