Ester Emma Matthews

Ester Emma Matthews

A funeral service for Ester Matthews, age 81, of Lusk, was held at the Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home Dec. 13, 2003. An additional service was held Dec. 15, 2003 at Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, S. D. Interment followed in the Colome, S. D. Cemetery.

Ester died Dec. 10, 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was born Dec. 11, 1921, in rural Colome, S. D., to William Kahler and Marie (Brunsch) Kahler.

It was during this time her future would take a different path. While working part-time at a local coffee shop, she met Walter Philip Matthews, a local railroad engineer, and they were married March 22, 1956.

Her career would encompass 18 years at West Side truck stop in Winner, then ownership of two restaurants in Menno and Edgemont, S. D.

After trading her spatula for a pencil sharpener she was back working as a bookkeeper for The Lusk Herald, a job she truly loved. Her involvement with the VFW Auxiliary also led her to become a member of the Wyoming Women's Business Association, an organization that would bring her many lasting friendships throughout her retirement in this quiet western community.

Ester loved card games, particularly the game of Pitch. Not a day that went by that she wasn't sitting at the table with her kids, grandkids or a neighbor, playing cards.

In life, she was a fighter and in death, she is at peace. She will be missed by her family and friends who mourn her death but take comfort in their faith and fond memories of her life.

She is survived by her seven children, William (Bill) Matthews of Nebraska, Harold (Pee Wee) Matthews of Colorado Springs, Colo., Zita Merken of Thermopolis, Wyo., Bonnie Wolf of Hot Springs, S. D., Donald Matthews of Rapid City, S. D., Ronald Matthews of Lusk, and Thomas Matthews of Torrington, Wyo; one sister, Evelyn Boortz of Winner, S. D.; one brother, Art Kahler of Maryville, Tenn.; and 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren. Her newest great-grandchild was born just hours before she died.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Theodore and Harold.

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