Esther Christiansen

Esther Catharine Christiansen was born in Charter Oak Township, Crawford County, Iowa, March 8, 1919, the daughter of Fritz and Louise Timm Brandenburg. She was baptized at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak by Pastor A. Amstein on March 30, 1919, and confirmed June 12, 1932. On December 15, 1940, Esther was united in marriage with Earl J. Christiansen by Pastor C. W. Schmidt. They made their home in Goodrich Township until moving to Denison in 1945. Esther was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker who cared for her husband through years of recovery from polio and raised their two sons, Larry and Merlin. Esther was a religious person, faithful to her German Lutheran roots, serving Zion Lutheran Church for many years, belonging to various organizations and helping with the church?s work. She also worked to help support the family; places of employment included Andersen?s Cleaners and the Paint and Paper Store of Denison. Esther enjoyed simple pleasures: having her hair "done" once a week, helping the women beat the men in the occasional canasta games with the Dozarks, Dethmanns, or Hoemans, and above all else, providing hospitality when company visited in terms of food and dessert. She was her most hospitable and understanding self when her younger son?s "Humboldt pheasant-hunting friends" came for a visit. She left invaluable gifts for her daughters-in-law: her recipes for piecrust and homemade ice cream. No one, especially if one asked her grandkids, could beat her apple, cherry, or peach fruit pies. And, of course, no Fourth of July family celebration would be complete without her "rich, enhanced version" of home-made vanilla ice cream. In her later years she enjoyed her friendships at the Reed House in Denison and trying to keep everyone there on "schedule" ? mainly her schedule, which included Hawkeye football and basketball games. To be closer to her family, Esther spent her final years at the Humboldt North Care Center, where she was happiest after winning a game of bingo. Esther died at the Care Center Tuesday morning, April 22, 2008, having been blessed with 89 years, 1 month and 14 days. Esther was preceded in death by her husband of over 62 years, Earl Christiansen, her parents, Fritz and Louise Brandenburg and eight siblings, Carl, Henry, Fred and Edgar Brandenburg, Marie Bastman, Frieda Silva, Wilhelmina Wolterman and Adele Dozark. She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Larry and Karen Christiansen of Bakersfield, California and Merlin and Carol Christiansen of Humboldt, Iowa, four grandchildren and spouses, Missy and Lee Smith of Humboldt, Iowa, Jeff and Tricia Christiansen of Hampton, Iowa, Sarah and Rick Hebert of Arroyo Grande, California, and Stephanie and Scott Paine of Bakersfield, California, four great grandchildren, Bekah and Meg Christiansen of Hampton, Iowa and Gabe and Grace Smith of Humboldt, Iowa, one brother, John Brandenburg and wife, Shirley of Yucaipa, California, one sister, Louise Scherff of Denison, Iowa, sisters-in-law, Hertha Brandenburg of Denison, Iowa, Lillian Brandenburg of Fort Collins, Colorado, Evelyn Staller of Denison, Iowa and Viola Staller of Vista, California, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2008, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser and the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Music for the service included the congregation singing "My Faith Looks Up To Thee", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "I?m But A Stranger Here, Heaven Is My Home" with Karen Kahl serving as organist. Honorary pallbearers included Michael Scherff, Willis Staller, Wayne Dixon, Dick Wolterman, Mark Brandenburg, Rick Hebert and Scott Paine. Pallbearers were Don Eggert, Robert Scherff, Roger Dozark, David Dozark, Bob Lee and John Sleiter. Interment was at the Lutheran Cemetery in Denison, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited all to return to the church and join them for a luncheon prepared and served by the Zion Ladies Aid. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com . Esther?s family, in her behalf, wishes to thank especially, the staff of the Reed House in Denison and the Humboldt North Care Center, for their loving and understanding care.