Esther Schowalter

Esther Nickel Schowalter was born in a sod house east of Goessel to Peter B. Nickel and Margret Franz Nickel on March 29, 1924.

She graduated from Goessel High School in 1942.

On March 28, 1947, she married Aldine (Al) Schowalter in the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel, Kansas.  To this union, three children were born; son Bruce Schowalter; daughters Judy Lynn & Cindy Schowalter.  Al and Esther adopted Travis Schowalter.  He brought much joy to their life as well.

Esther retired from Halstead Hospital.  She enjoyed crafts of all sorts including wheat weaving (her favorite) tole painting, decoupage, ceramics, sewing garments, tatting, Brazilian embroidery, macramé, crocheting, quilting (Al helped, he was a good quilter) and baking.  Much of her wheat weaving was donated for the MCC Auction each year and a piece is also displayed at the Smithsonian Institute.

Preceding Esther in death was her husband Aldine and her daughters Judy Lynn Schowalter and Cindy Schowalter.  She leaves to mourn her son Bruce Schowalter, two grandsons Jeremy Schowalter of Taft, OK and Travis Schowalter and his wife Suzanne Schowalter of Overland Park, KS, along with many dear friends and relatives.  Al and Esther were members of the Burrton Mennonite Church.

Visitation will be held from 1-5 pm on Sunday October 5, 2014.  Funeral Service will be held at Petersen Funeral Home on Monday October 6, 2014 at 1 pm.  Memorials may be made out to Asbury Park .