Esther E. Chedester

SIOUX CITY -- Esther E. Chedester, 77, of Sioux City passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at her residence, following a brief illness.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday, December 27, 2010 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with Pastor Paul Speidel of Westlawn Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to meyerbroschapels.com.

Esther was born Sept. 29, 1933, in Pisgah, Iowa, the daughter of John "Blondie" and Emily (McCracken) Hinkel. She attended Pisgah Consolidated School. She married Merle Chedester on Nov. 11, 1953, in Onawa, Iowa. He died Dec. 18, 1998, in Sioux City. Esther was a very dedicated employee and worked for Toy National Bank most of her career. She then worked as a receptionist for Raleigh Zucker for a few years.

She attended Westlawn Presbyterian Church and the sewing club of the church. Esther enjoyed cooking, hosting family reunions, traveling and fishing.

Survivors include two sisters, Anne Muxfeldt of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Sharon Spears of Missouri Valley, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Vernon Chedester and his wife, Cathy of Sioux City; a sister-in-law, Shirley Gunderson and her husband, Marlin of Kiron, Iowa; five nieces and nephews on Esther's side, Monte Muxfeldt, Cindy Clermont, Craig Muxfeldt, John Seeley and Kevin Seeley; three great nephews and six great nieces; and nieces and nephews on Merle's side, Earl Chedester, Elaine and Eugene Greenough, Bob and Fonda Chedester, Ross Chedester, Rita Boulware, Judy and Gary Golden, Ginice and Gary Sturgis, Dan and Marcie Uhl, Ron and Louise Coyle, Myrna and Gordon Glennie, Randy Coyle, Sheri and Frank Cosgrove, Gina and Bill Myers, Patrick and Stacie Chedester, Crissy and Adam Davenport, Tim and Mary Gunderson, Sandy and Mark Juhl, Todd and Karen Gunderson, Stuart and Robert Brenner and Lynn and Sharon Brenner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merle; and a niece, Pam Siegner. She was also preceded in death by Merle's brothers and sisters, Izetta Coyle, Ardith Brenner, Levi Chedester, Robert Chedester, Elmer Chedester, Lavonne Uhl; niece, Brenda Woods; and nephews, Andy Brenner, Allen Brenner, Curtis Brenner and Roger Chedester.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Coyle, David Siefka, Lowell McCracken, Kevin Seeley, Craig Muxfeldt and Todd Clermont.