Lois Mae Ester

Lois Mae (Keerbs) Ester has passed on into the Heavenly Kingdom of Our Living God. She was the beloved wife of (late) Richard P. “Dick” Ester. Lois was preceded in death by her parents and was the eldest child born to (late) Alfred F. and Huldah (nee Molthan) Keerbs, on December 5th, 1927, in Kankakee, Illinois. She was also preceded in death by her younger brother Alfred (Bud) Keerbs, and was stepsister to (late) Artel Christiansen; (late) Carolynn Snejberg (late Sonny); Suzie Dauderman (Chuck); Judy O’Brien (late Tom); Tom Christiansen (Renee); Rod Christiansen (Marla); and Bruce Christiansen.

Lois was the loving and devoted mother to daughter Rogena L. Owens (late Bob); and sons: Mark A. Ester (Berni); and Richard T. Ester (Debra); Grandmother to six: Matthew Owens, Tyson Ester (Betsy), Olivia Millet (Jedrek), Jennifer Walls (Kenneth), Linda Kincaid and Jennifer DiBella. She was great-grandmother to eleven: Paige Owens, Avery Owens, Will Ester, Evelyn Ester, Austen Ester, Soren Walls, Kieran Walls, Amanda Donnelly (Brennan Fitzpatrick), Elizabeth Donnelly, Anthony DiBella and Michael DiBella; and Lois was a great-great-grandmother to Savannah Fitzpatrick. She leaves behind so many caring family members and friends.

Lois began work as a secretary for the Lowe Seed Company in Aroma Park, Il. and while there met her future husband, Richard P. Ester. The couple was subsequently married on June 20th, 1948. Officiating the ceremony was the groom’s father, and moreover, the date they chose was also the groom’s parents’ silver wedding anniversary. The young couple relocated to Naperville, Il. Lois went on to begin a career in banking, progressing all the way from teller to administrative assistant in her bank’s Trust Department. The family were also long-time members of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church in Naperville, later renamed Community United Methodist Church.

The Esters relocated to DeWitt, Ia. in 1988. Lois worked as the secretary at the United Manor for seven years, and also was a member of DeWitt United Methodist Church for the duration of her time living in DeWitt.

Lois enjoyed 55 years of marriage to her husband until his death in 2002. Family was her greatest pride in life, and her descendants know what a human treasure she was. She was such a blessing to all those that knew her.

Though her smile is gone forever, and her hand we cannot touch, we still have many memories of the one we love so much. Her memory is our keepsake with which we will never part. God has her in his keeping. We love her in our hearts.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, with visitation at 10:30 a.m. Lois will be laid to rest with her husband at Naperville Cemetery on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, with a private family graveside service at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the DeWitt United Methodist Church. Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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