UBBEN, Esther 1937-2015

UBBEN, SCHAFER, SIEBRANDS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/25/2017 at 14:05:35

Esther Ubben age 78 of Aplington died at her daughter's home after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on Saturday, March 21st. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 26th at the West Friesland Presbyterian Church, rural Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.

Esther was born on March 12, 1937 in Grundy Center Iowa, daughter of Henry and Minnie (Siebrands) Schafer. Esther was confirmed in Bethany Presbyterian Church and was president of the denomination’s youth organization. She was a frequent speaker at youth events. Esther graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1955. Esther worked at Manly Drug Store and the Spokesman Press. On June 12, 1959 she married Edward Ubben. They lived in Grundy Center for 10 years and served as youth leaders at Bethany Presbyterian Church. In 1969 the family started farming near Aplington, Iowa. Ed and Esther became active members of West Friesland Presbyterian Church, rural Ackley, where they found a church family and lived their faith. Esther taught Sunday School, Catechism, Bible School, and served as church treasurer for many years. Esther was a stay-at-home mom until 1988 when she took a job at the Ackley-Geneva School cafeteria. Esther enjoyed spending time with her husband. She was a devoted soul mate and farm wife. She also enjoyed her children and grandchildren, cooking, quilting, and doing crafts.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Hilko Schafer; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Rhoads; one sister-in-law, Norma Witte; and one granddaughter, Kevy Ubben.

Esther is survived by her husband, Edward of 55 years; two sons, Steven (Sandra) of Aplington, Iowa; Donavon (Robyn) of Hemet, California; two daughters, Sharon (Duane) Regenold of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Linda (Darren) Wilson of Marshfield, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Joshua, Grant, and Brittany Ubben; McKenzie, Kody, and Tristan Wilson; Nicholas Ubben; one great-granddaughter, Zoey Wilson; one sister, Marie Rhoads; one brother-in-law, Wilbert Ubben; and three nieces and three nephews.

--Surls Funeral Homes (www.surls.com)