Esther Ness, 94, has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
Some lives speak quietly; her is one such story.
Born in 1923, Esther began a life that would touch many along the way.
Esther held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Faith is a quiet companion through a long life. Esther's walked beside her.
Esther A. Ness, 94 died Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 1:00pm Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Viborg with burial in the Holland Cemetery, rural Centerville. Visitation with family present will be from 5-7pm Monday evening at the church. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Esther A. Ness was born on March 19, 1923 at Centerville, SD to Guy and Gunda (Johnson) Jacobson. She attended country school at Midway District #53 before working in the Centerville Cafe. On December 16, 1939 she was united in marriage to Norman "Buster" Ness. To this union was born children Larry, Sharon, Rodney, and Debra. They lived in Blue Earth, MN before moving to a farm north of Centerville in 1945. For a time they lived near Hurley and in 1960 moved north of Viborg. In 1973 they moved permanently into the town of Viborg. She had been employed at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home for 41 years, retiring in 2012. Her husband passed away in 1989. She was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church where she loved to volunteer. Her many joys were her children and grandchildren. Some of her hobbies included baking, canning, and crossword puzzles. Her love of life was contagious. Esther had a great love for cats and animals in general. Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter Sharon (Jack) Eslinger, Newcastle, WY; a daughter in law Sharon, Viborg; 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 20 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 sons Larry and Rodney Sr, a daughter Debra Schmidt, son in law Willis Powell, daughter in law Judith Ness, grandson Robert Powell, great granddaughter Megan Ness, 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Memorials maybe directed to the Holland Cemetery.
