Esther M. Soenksen

Esther M. Soenksen was born June 28, 1918, at her present farm home north of Deloit, Iowa, the daughter of Fredrick and Laura Reincke Hansohn. She was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stockholm Township, Kiron, Iowa, July 21, 1918, and confirmed in her Christian Faith there May 31, 1931. She was raised on the farm and received her education in the rural school near her home before graduating from the Deloit High School. On September 8, 1940, Esther was united in marriage with Vernet Carl Soenksen at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stockholm Township, Kiron, Iowa, by the Rev. F. Reith. They made their home on the farm north of Deloit where Esther was a homemaker, lovingly caring for her husband and extended family members, including Vernet’s Uncle Carl. She shared Vernet’s avid love of wildlife, caring for the land they farmed and practicing soil conservation to save the land for future generations. She enjoyed gardening and canning the produce for their use and sharing with others, flowers, bird watching, sewing, crocheting, and playing cards. She was a supporter of the Red Cross Blood Mobile, donating gallons through the years. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Deloit, Iowa, and of their Ladies Aid. Esther died Monday, November 14, 2011, at the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 93 years, 4 months and 16 days. Including her parents, Esther was also preceded in death by her husband, Vernet on February 16, 2007, her sister, Edna Tibbetts and two brothers-in-law, Emery Tibbetts and Arthur Soenksen. Those remaining to cherish her memory include three nephews: Gale Tibbetts of Deloit, Iowa, Neil Tibbetts and wife, LuAnn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Keith Tibbetts and wife, Karolyn of Lake Elsinor, California; two nieces: Lael and husband, Paul Koster of Osage, Iowa, and Leah Tubbs of Bishop, California; friend and caretaker for many years, Gloria Gray of Deloit, Iowa, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2011, at Faith Lutheran Church, Deloit, Iowa, with the Rev. Christopher A. Maronde officiating. Music for the service included the congregational hymns of “Children of the Heavenly Father”, “How Great Thou Art” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” with Mary Ellen Hafner serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearers included Dennis Wellsandt, Robert Andresen, Donald Fritz, John Schultz, Randy Schuett and Charlie Harm. Pallbearers were Dudley Ullrich, Barry Nemitz, Merlin Miller, Terry Blunk, David Gray and James Whiteing. Interment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens, Denison, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon catered by Hy-Vee with assistance from Faith Lutheran Ladies Aid. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.