Esther contracted osteomyelitis at 12. She spent years in and out of hospitals and was given no hope of walking. Many people prayed, and with the help of homeopathic medicine, she was able to continue piano studies and lead a full life. In hospital, she committed her life to God. During teacher training at Wesley College, Winnipeg, Esther was baptized. After 2 years of teaching, she married Henry, whom she met in Reinland, Man. Esther and Henry served in South America and Europe in education and church growth and pastored churches across North America. They supported the Fraser Valley Symphony. In retirement, Esther pursued her passion for genealogy, writing books of family history – an interest that sustained her after Henry’s death. She located long-lost relatives and helped develop Mennonite Historical Society’s archives. She enjoyed her 91st birthday party, days before cancer immobilized her. Esther loved to celebrate.
