Esther E. Smidt

SMIDT, ESTHER

Esther enjoyed all of her 105 years. She was born August 10, 1905, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Louis Sr. and Laura (Burns) Zinnecker. Her family moved to David City, Nebraska several years later when her father purchased the Perkins Hotel, where she lived through her high school years.

Esther earned a B. Fine Arts in Education and Speech at the University of Nebraska where she was active in theater productions and a member of University Players, Little Theater and Dramatic Club. She was a charter member of Tassels, a women’s pep club, Eastern Star, and President of Pi Omega Phi sorority. She met her husband, Fred Smidt, Sr. at U. of NE. She did graduate work for one year at Emerson College in Boston and taught English and Dramatics at North Platte High School for 3 years. One of her fondest memories of teaching was winning first place in state competition in One Act Plays with her Dramatics group.

Esther and Fred Smidt, Sr. were married September 5, 1931. They farmed for 43 years in Nebraska, starting near Bruno, and living in Firth for 42 years. Esther was active in Homemakers club and Garden clubs. She taught Sunday School for many years at Firth Reformed Church and was involved in numerous church and community activities, including coaching high school plays and filling in as a teacher. She loved to read, take care of her vegetable and flower gardens, and to sew, knit, and crochet. As a result of her sewing skills she made many bridesmaids dresses and was a part of weddings in the community for many years. When her children left for college, she sewed doll clothing for Teri Lee Dolls to help fill her time. After retiring from farming, Fred and Esther moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1974.

After Fred Sr. passed away May 12, 1988, Esther moved to Broadway Proper in Tucson, Arizona where she lived for 17 years. She moved to Touchmark on Prospect in Appleton, Wisconsin in March, 2006, and later to Gardens of Fountain Way in Menasha, Wisconsin.

Her love of reading continued throughout her life, and she often found a way to “sneak a look” or even finish books received as gifts before it was time to open the gift. In her later years she spent much of her free time solving word puzzles, making note cards, and knitting or crocheting items for charities. While at Broadway Proper in Tucson, at age 93 through 100, she taught middle school youth to knit, crochet or quilt, making blankets for the Red Cross and Pregnancy Crisis Center. She loved to rescue and repair used dolls and stuffed animals for children’s charities. One constant in Esther’s life was her strong faith in God and the importance of the church was woven into her thinking, living, and activities. She is remembered as always smiling, and never complaining.

Fred and Esther had 2 sons, Fred Jr. (Leona) of Springfield, Virginia, and Robert (Joyce) of Appleton, Wisconsin. She is survived by her son Robert, daughters-in-law Joyce and Leona, five grandchildren: Jeffrey (Laura), Douglas (Margi), Natalie (Nelson Thurman), Suzanne (James Wade), and Randall; eleven great-grandchildren: Jacob, David, Anna, Nicholas, Joshua, Sasha, Christopher, Seamus, Finbar, Avery, and Esther. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Fred Sr., son, Fred Jr., brothers, Louis Jr., Gus, Harold, and sister Ruth.

The family thanks Heartland Hospice, especially Christine, and the loving and compassionate staff of Gardens of Fountain Way for the support provided.

A Remembrance will be held on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 3:00 pm, at the Robert Smidt residence. A memorial service will be held at the Firth Reformed Church in Nebraska at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Louis and Laura Zinnecker/Esther Smidt Scholarship (U of NE for graduates of Butler County and Norris Schools) or the Firth Reformed Church.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920)739-1231