Mrs. JOHN (Esther Marie Borgman) SMITH 1926-2006

STARKE, BORGMAN, SMITH, JOHNSON, FOXWELL, TORKELSON, AKERS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/28/2006 at 20:28:48

Esther Smith

Esther Marie Borgman Smith, 79, of Wadena, died Saturday, March 4, 2006, at Central Community Hospital, Elkader, following a brief illness.

She was born April 20, 1926, to Eugene William and Louise Minnie (Starke) Borgman on the family farm in Wellington, Mo. Her early years were spent growing up on the family farm in Wellington. Her Borgman grandparents shared their home and she was also blessed to live with her Starke grandparents during the school week. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Wellington. She graduated from Wellington High School in 1944 and from Central Missouri State University in 1948. Esther taught home economics for five years in the Fairfield, Iowa, school system and then completed her master’s degree in home economics from Iowa State University in 1954.

She was united in marriage to John E. Smith at Collegiate Methodist Church in Ames, September 18, 1954. During their 51 years of marriage, they resided in Arlington, rural Elgin, and rural Wadena. Esther worked for the Valley Community School District for several years and was a church organist at the Volga Methodist Church.

The joys of Esther’s life were her children and grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, John of Wadena; her children, Roberta (Alan) Johnson of Ames and grandchildren Scott and Kristin; daughter-in-law Jean Smith of St. Paul and grandchildren Anya and Ian; Mary (Paul) Foxwell of Monona and grandchildren Monica, Stephanie, Rachel, and Lauren; Tom Smith of Slater; and Susan (Bruce) Torkelson of Waukon and grandchildren, Erin and Kyle. Her legacy to all of them was a passion for learning and a love of music. Also surviving are a sister, Ruth Akers of DeKalb, Ill., and a brother, Earl (Mary) Borgman of Wellington; three nieces; one nephew; two great-nieces; one great-nephew; and numerous cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son Mark.

She will be remembered for her music, her willingness to help others, her beautiful stitchery, her phenomenal cooking - particularly pies, and her friendship to everyone she met.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Volga, with Rev. Raymond Doser officiating. Inurnment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Volga. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader.

Honorary casketbearers will be Esther’s grandchildren: Scott Johnson, Kristin Johnson, Anya Smith, Ian Smith, Monica Foxwell, Stephanie Foxwell, Rachel Foxwell, Lauren Foxwell, Erin Torkelson, and Kyle Torkelson.

Waukon Standard, March 8, 2006