Esther Williams

Esther Marie, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Testroet) Anstoeter was born July 4, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa. She grew up in Halbur and attended St. Augustine School.

On November 18, 1952, Esther was united in marriage with Leo Williams and they were blessed with six children. The couple made their home in the rural Lake City area where Leo worked at the gypsum plant in Fort Dodge. In 1957 they moved to Schaller where Leo farmed. In 1963 they moved to the rural Manning area, still farming. In 1969 they moved into the town of Manning where Leo worked at L.R. Nelson Manufacturing. Esther worked at the Manning Pharmacy for 25 years, as a Site Manager/Cook for the Senior Center and as a cook for the Childcare Center in Manning.

Esther’s claim to fame (no she was not the swimmer) was her talent on the accordion. Over the years Esther played her accordion for more wedding dances, functions, and events than we can count. She loved to play and did so as often as she could.

Esther was a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, Little Flower Study Club, sang with the Sacred Heart Choir and was a very active member of the VFW Auxiliary.

On Sunday, August 6, 2023, Esther passed away peacefully at Accura Healthcare in Carroll. She was 92 years of age.

Esther is survived by her children: Dan Williams of Spearfish, South Dakota; Maureen and husband Ron Halbur of Manning; Gary Williams of Manning; and Carol and husband Rick Jahn of Gillette, Wyoming; one grandchild Amy (Jason) Croghan of Kansas City, Missouri; and two great-grandchildren Logan and Katelyn Croghan; as well as, one sister-in-law Velma Williams.

Esther’s husband Leo Williams (1976), a son in infancy, and her son Dale Williams (2005) preceded her in death. Other family members preceding Esther in death were her brother Louis Anstoeter and wife Rita; sister Catherine and husband Alphonse Dentlinger; brothers-in-law and their spouses: Cyril Williams and wife Helen, Louis Williams and wife Betty, Virgil Williams and wife Bernice, Tony Williams and wife Anita, Raymond Williams, Catherine and husband Albert Irlmeier, Ralph Hoffman and wife Ida, Walter Riesberg and wife Martha and Edward Meier and wife Rita.

Visitation was held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Manning, Iowa with Reverend Shinoj Jose as Celebrant.

Mass Servers were Nolan and Katie Kerkhoff.

Lector was Linda Halbur.

Eucharistic Minister was Steve Seidl.

Gift Bearers were Jason, Amy, Logan & Katelyn Croghan.

Music  “Here I Am, Lord”, “Be Not Afraid”, “You Are Mine”, Sing With All The Saints In Glory”  by Sacred Heart Choir, Anne Muhlbauer, Organist.

Casket Bearers were Rick Dammann, Rob Dammann, Glenn Dentlinger, Roger Williams, Jason Croghan and Steve Pfannkuch.

Interment was held at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manning, Iowa.