Esther D. Schroeder, 81, Arpin WI

[Stan]

Esther D. Schroeder, 81, of 7997 Bluff Drive, Arpin, died Sept. 1, 2010, in her home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Marshfield Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Buchanan Funeral Home in Pittsville; and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Inurnment will be in Bethel Cemetery at a later date.

Esther was born March 4, 1929, in Jim Falls, to Harry and Margaret (Lawrence) Crist. She was educated at Bethel Academy, graduating in 1947, and continued her education through vocational-technical classes.

Prior to her marriage, Esther worked at the Hinsdale Hospital in Hinsdale, Ill.

Esther Crist was united in marriage to Walter Schroeder on June 6, 1948, in Chippewa Falls. They most recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary.

After marriage, they resided in Fall River and Owen, then in Marshfield from 1952 to 1962. They moved to Bethel in 1962, and Esther was employed as a nurse's aide at Howards and Wolfs Nursing Homes in Arpin.

Esther worked at Bethel Center for 35 years as a certified nursing assistant, in housekeeping and laundry, and as activity director before retiring in 1992. She was ballot clerk and hall custodian for the town of Richfield. She volunteered at Soup & Socks in Marshfield and was an active member, who held many offices, in the Marshfield Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Esther enjoyed gardening, watching birds, camping, canoeing and mowing the lawn. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Esther is survived by her husband, Walter Schroeder of Arpin; son, Gary (Rose) Schroeder of Arpin; daughter, Linda (Robert) Skilton of Fall River; brother, Everett (Mary) Crist of Phillips; grandchildren, Kevin (Sandi) Schill, Tyler and Trevor of Arpin, Tim (Jill) Schroeder of San Antonio, Texas, Preston (Tonya) Rucinski, Kaitlyn and Kylie of Arpin, Todd (Beck) Kelly, Lydia and Dylan of Columbus, and Rick Skilton of Green Bay; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by two sisters, Vera, in infancy, and Arleen; two brothers, Forest and Roy; and one great-grandchild, Cody Schill.

Buchanan Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

[Dr. Shane]

Sounds like a full life. She now sleeps awaiting the morning. Well done, good and faithful servant.