Ester Marion Reese

Ester Marion Reese, the daughter of William and Pearl (Yates) Fear was born February 7, 1927 near Everly, IA. Her childhood years were spent in the Everly area, where she attended school.

 Ester married Dean Reese on February 8, 1944 in Jackson, MN. After their marriage, they moved to a farm near Peterson, IA. Ester lived and worked on the farm her entire life except for when Dean served in the U.S. Army during World War II. During that time she lived with her sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Harold. Ester enjoyed sewing and spent many hours at her sewing machine making clothes for her family, including Rita’s wedding dress. Ester was a very hard worker and took pride in tending her garden and canning or freezing the produce. Ester was known for her excellent cooking and baking skills. Family and friends always enjoyed eating at Ester’s and no one ever left her home hungry. Ester’s children and grandchildren benefitted so much from helping her with any of these tasks because Ester was always willing to share her knowledge and help someone learn how to do things. Ester enjoyed walking and whether she was shopping, working on the farm, or walking around the section she maintained a brisk pace. Another favorite activity was when she and Dean would go fishing and camping with family and friends. Ester especially enjoyed any time she spent with her family. She was a member of the Peterson United Methodist Church and held many offices in the Women’s Society, including that of president.

 Ester passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024 at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, IA at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 5 brothers: infant Henry, William, Clifford, Ralph and Luverne, 4 sisters: Laura Malenke, Alice Wimmer, Doris O’Hara and Elsie Spletter, and one son-in-law, Ernest Smith.

 Left to cherish her memory are her 4 children: Glenda Smith of McKinney, TX, Sheryl (Lonnie) Hansen of Peterson, IA, Dale (MaryFrances) Reese of Peterson, IA and Rita (Gary) Garrelts of Ayrshire, IA; 12 grandchildren: Brian (Arlette) Smith, Curtis Smith, Michelle (Alan) Arvesen, Susan Hansen, Jack (Abby) Hansen, Sara (Beau) Buettner, Derek (Pam) Reese, Erin (Kevin) Mueller, Ellie (Andrew) Klosterman, Andrew (Tiffani) Garrelts, Chrys Yancey and Brenda Yancey; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 3 sisters: Margaret Shaver of Savannah, TN, Lois Brossart of Escondido, CA, and Shirley Ruby of Oakdale, MN; other relatives and friends.