Esther Duehr

Esther Duehr, age 96, of Browns Valley passed away June 3, 2012, in Browns Valley.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley. Rev. John Ragan will officiate and burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday at the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Browns Valley from 5 – 8 p.m. and continue at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the service.

Casket bearers will be her grandchildren: Bryan Duehr, DeVonne Powell, Neal Duehr, Kevin Pistorius, Karla Pistorius, and Michele Asmussen.

Esther (Ring) Duehr was born July 31, 1915, at Inwood, Iowa. She was the daughter of Peter and Nellie (Gronenboom) Ring. She joined two brothers and one sister. The family moved to Wessington Springs, SD. Esther attended country school through the eighth grade and attended church and Sunday School in the country school. She was baptized in the Methodist faith.

In the early 1930's the Ring family settled on a farm along Big Stone Lake, near Browns Valley. Esther received her high school education in the Browns Valley School. She was united in marriage with J.M. "Bud" Duehr on October 15, 1935. They were blessed with three children: Ronald, Sharon, and Ione. Esther was active in a number of organizations. She was a Sunday School Superintendent, teacher and choir member. Esther was a 50 year member of the Browns Valley American Legion Auxiliary Unit 58, and presided twice as President.

Esther was a cook at the Browns Valley School for 11 years. Long days were made bright with smiles and fun from the students and teachers. She later joined the staff at the Browns Valley Health Center for 11 years as a nurse's aide. She later started the craft department at the care center. Esther served on the Valley View Cemetery Board for 20 years. Her husband, Bud passed away January 7, 1983. Esther later married Glenn Bergstrom on August 28, 1993. The enjoyed 4 ½ years together, taking trips, dancing, and dining out. Glenn passed away February 5, 1998.

Esther Duehr is survived by two children: Sharon Pistorius of Sisseton, SD and Ione Johnson of Fredrick, WI; and six grandchildren: Bryan Duehr, DeVonne Powell, Neal Duehr, Kevin Pistorius, Karla Pistorius, and Michele Asmussen; and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Ronald; one son-in-law, Donald Pistorius; one daughter-in-law, Linda Duehr; her husbands: Bud and Glenn; two brothers and one sister.