Esther E. Mcconnell

Esther Elizabeth McConnell was born in Arion, Iowa, October 14, 1920, the daughter of John and Marie Christiansen Eggers. She grew up on farms in the Arion area and received her formal education in the local rural schools. Following her schooling she helped on the family farm.Esther was united in marriage with Max Mefferd and their union was blessed with five children: Janice Marlene, Roger Edwin, Ronald Dean, Forrest Lee and Stanley Eugene. They made their home in various Iowa communities and it was while residing at Tipton, Iowa, that Esther was baptized and confirmed in her Christian Faith.In 1951, Esther was united in marriage with Frank Bohm in Omaha, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with two daughters: Kathaleen and Cynthia. They made their home on a farm near Denison and following his death, the family moved into Denison.In 1956, Esther was united in marriage with Wallace R. “Wally” McConnell in Denison and their union was blessed with one daughter Charlene. They made their home in Denison, where through the years, Esther was employed at Lucky Lanes, Dialoc and Fred’s Café. Following Wallace’s death Esther remained in Denison until moving to the Manilla Manor in 2003.Hobbies that Esther enjoyed during her life include: dancing, singing, bowling, cooking and baking,gardening and embroidering.She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Zion Ladies Aid and Zion Evening Guild. Other memberships she enjoyed include: V.F.W. Auxiliary, Sweet Adelines and the Women’s Bowling Association.Esther died early Friday morning, September 16, 2016, at the Manilla Manor, Manilla, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 95 years, 11 months and 2 days.Esther was preceded in death by her parents: John and Marie Eggers; husbands: Frank Bohm and Wallace R. McConnell; one daughter: Janice Marlene Jensen; three sons: Roger Edwin Mefferd, Forrest Lee Mefferd and Stanley Eugene Mefferd; one son-in-law: Robert Jensen; one grandson: Kevin Jensen; three brothers: Louis, Dick, and one in infancy; and seven sisters: Florence, Leona, Mabel, Marie, Ruth, Dorothy and Kate.Those remaining to cherish her memory include one son: Ronald Dean (Betty) Mefferd of Arizona; three daughters: Kathaleen Barta of Omaha, Nebraska, Cynthia (William) Tompson of North Yarmouth, Maine and Charlene (David) Shaw of Ames, Iowa; three daughters-in-law: Karen Mefferd of Denison, Iowa, Linda Mefferd of West Virginia and Noreen Mefferd of Georgia; 20 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and one great granddaughter expected in October; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 22, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser officiating. Music for the service included four congregational hymns: “My Faith Looks Up To Thee”, “When Peace Like A River”, “O Savior, Precious Savior” and “Beautiful Savior” with Jeanette Venzke serving as organist. Honorary pallbearers were Jay Akin, Thomas Brungardt and, in memoriam, Warren Grieb. Pallbearers included Dan C. Pfannebecker, Roger Kruse, Roger Dozark and Sue Bergamo. Interment was at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Denison, Iowa. Following the graveside rites the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a meal catered by Hy-Vee. Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.