Esther Guenther-Anderson

Esther Guenther-Anderson, age 95 of Osakis passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2006 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis, MN.
Esther Emilie Zarbok was born to Emil and Anna (Krueger) Zarbok in Leaf Valley Township, Douglas Co., MN on July 1, 1910. She was the last surviving child of their thirteen children. Esther moved near Forada when only nine and attended country school. On October 10, 1928 Esther was united in marriage to Theodore A. Guenther in Parkers Prairie. They farmed and raised a family. Esther became a widow after thirty-five years when Theodore died in 1964. She moved into a home in Osakis in 1971 and married Oliver Anderson that same year. Oliver passed away three years later and Esther remained in her home on Oak Street for many more years, keeping and driving her car until ninety years old. She moved into the Terrace Heights assisted-living apartments in 2005.
Esther was a member of the Osakis Lutheran Church and belonged to the ladies aide. As one of the founding members of the Osakis Seniors Citizens Club, Esther belonged to that group for over 25 years. She was named one of Douglas County's Outstanding Senior Citizens.
Esther enjoyed country life and helped on the farm raising chickens and gardening. She liked to attend farm animal shows and do some traveling. She was an excellent cook who enjoyed baking. Esther would always have some homemade treats on hand to share with whoever stopped in for a visit. She kept busy during the winter months reading, crocheting and playing cards. Her memory, even at ninety-five was as sharp as ever. Esther was a wonderful mother and grandma who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, a son, Marvin Guenther, a great granddaughter, Marrissa Rassat, a step-grandson, David Kasel, a great, great grandson, Michael King and 12 brothers and sisters, William, Fredinand, Gust, Fred, Emil, Herman, Alfred, Walter, Edwin, Anna, Emma and Hattie.
Esther is survived by her children, Elroy (Margaret) Guenther of Colorado Springs, Clinton (Kay) Guenther of Greensborro, NC, Kenneth (Margaret) Guenther of Alexandria, Mary Ann (Tony) Rassat of Osakis, David (DiAnn) Guenther of Cook, MN and a daughter-in-law, Janet Guenther of San Antonio, TX; 20 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren and 11 great, great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Esther will be held on her birthday, Saturday, July 1 at the Osakis Lutheran Church with Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. Organist is Joan Sprague.
After a lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall and then burial will be at the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, MN. Honorary bearers are all of her grandchildren, great and great, great grandchildren. Active pallbearers are Dale, Keith, Ted and Jeff Guenther, Jamie Klein.