Esther Ellingson Schroeder, 90, Albert Lea

Published 12:00 am Sunday, July 29, 2007

Funeral services for Esther Schroeder, age 90, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Revs. Wayne Halvorson and Dennis Schmidt will officiate.

Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Esther died Thursday, July 26, 2007, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

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Esther Ann Schroeder was born April 23, 1917, to John D. and Rose (Ostendorf) Bartels in Belmont, Wis. 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 Sept. 1, 1940, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Three children were born to this union &8212; Marlys, Loren and 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; six 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.

Memorials preferred to the heart fund.