Esther K. Myers

Esther K. Myers, 89, Clear Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, July 18, 2012, six days before her 90th birthday, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa. Visitation was Sunday, July 22, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.  The Funeral Services were held in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, Monday, July 23, at St. John’s Catholic Church 

with Rev. Marvin Salz and Msgr. John Hemann officiating.  Interment was at the St. John’s Cemetery, Ft. Atkinson.  Memorials may be given in her honor to St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson.

     Esther was born July 24, 1922 in Waucoma, Iowa, the daughter of Theodore and Rose (Croatt) Schmitt.  She graduated from Waucoma High School in 1939.  Esther worked in California during WWII at the Lockheed Aircraft Company to help with the war efforts.  She married Andrew Myers on Nov. 16, 1946 and they made their home in Ft. Atkinson for the next 59 years. They raised their four girls in Fort Atkinson while Andrew established Myers Brothers Inc.   As an adult Esther pursued an interest in nursing.  Beginning in 1985 Esther and Andrew enjoyed spending summers in Clear Lake.  In 2005 Esther moved to Clear Lake permanently to be closer to her youngest daughter and family.  She also enjoyed spending the last few winters in Florida. 

  Esther was a member of the Forrester’s, Ladies Guild, South Winn Country Club, Winneshiek County Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, Iowa, and the 21st Century Club.  Esther volunteered at the Winneshiek County Hospital and served on their Scholarship Board for many years.  She loved to crochet caps for newborn babies at the hospital, and prayer shawls for the elderly at St. Patrick’s Church in Clear Lake. Esther was an accomplished golfer, bowler, and card player as well as an avid reader and gardener. She also loved spending Christmas’ in Colorado with her family.  

Esther is survived by four daughters, Nancy Myers, Parker, Colo., Jeanne (Tom) Iverson, Colorado Springs, Colo., Susan (Paul) Giroux, Lakewood Ranch, Fla. and JoAnn (Jeff) Nicholas, Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Jill (J.D.) Ingram, Centennial, Colo., Sam (Risa) Iverson, Ottawa Ontario, Canada, Ted (Karen) Norris, Morrison, Colo., John Iverson, Seattle, Wash., Andrew Nicholas, Clear Lake and Victoria Nicholas, Clear Lake; three great-grandchildren, Hanna, Ellie and Johnny Ingram; one brother, Alfred (Arlene) Schmitt, Waucoma, Iowa; two sisters, Alvina Bodensteiner, Rapid City, S.D. and Celia O’Rourke, Manteca, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

     Esther was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Andrew (1989); brother, Roy Schmitt; and sister, Loretta Korzendorfer and her husband, John.  Brother-in-laws, Ray Bodensteiner and Robert O’Rourke.  

Esther was deeply loved and she will be missed dearly.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.