Esther Rosella Willner, 89, of Davidson, passed away on Dec. 10 in the Davidson and District Health Centre in Davidson.
Esther, daughter of Julius and Ottelie Johnson, was born on Jan. 8, 1920 at home in the Hawarden district. Growing up in the “dirty thirties”, she hurried home from a country school to many chores: feeding chickens, and turkeys, churning butter, milking cows and stitching quilts. She worked hard all of her life, but always with a spirit of hope and a gentle respect for everyone and everything around her.
Esther met Edgar Willner, who was farming north of Bethlehem Church and they were married on Nov. 1, 1946. In 1948, they moved to the farm east of Davidson where they raised six children.
Esther devoted herself to providing healthy food for her family by raising chickens and growing huge gardens. She had a gift for making bread and buns. Esther volunteered to help organize and serve many church and school suppers and to teach many young girls to sew in 4H classes. She loved to read and worked many years in the Davidson School libraries.
Ever patient, always kind, she found her life’s contentment in making her family and others happy. Esther is predeceased by her husband, Edgar Robert Willner. She lives on in the loving memories and hearts of her family of three sons and three daughters, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Arlene (Eugene) Sorochuk of Norquay and family, Loraine (Travis) Polischuk, Nate and Kael, Coralie Sorochuk, Lesia (Dustin) Friesen and Colleen Sorochuk; Lorne (Marilyn) Willner of Davidson and family, Brady Willner, Lyndon Willner and Linnea Willner; Terry Riviere of Saskatoon and family, Danielle (Danton) Danielson, Robert Riviere and Michelle Riviere; Beryl Lepage and family, Paul Lepage, David Lepage, Mark Lepage and Katy Lepage; Randy (Debbie Murray) and family, Jeff Willner, Jason Willner and Jordan Willner; and Brian (Georgina) Willner of Olympia, Washington. She is also survived by one sister, Doris Bonnell of McMinnville, Oregon.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 15 at Davidson United Church with Rev. Diane Eurig officiating. The choir was in attendance, with Nancy Wilkins as organist. Granddaughters, Dani Danielson, Loraine Polischuk and Colleen Sorochuk read Scripture passages and Lorne Willner gave the Reflections of Esther’s life, followed by a Powerpoint presentation of Esther, created by her daughters, Terry and Beryl. Granddaughters, Katy Lepage and Linnea Willner were ushers and granddaughters, Lesia Friesen and Michelle Riviere presided at the register. Active pallbearers were her grandsons, Rob Riviere, Lyndon Willner, Brady Willner, Jason Willner, Jeff Willner, Mark Lepage, David Lepage and Paul Lepage.
Interment was in the family plot at Davidson cemetery, with Hanson’s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.