Esther L. Ideker (1930-2022)

Esther Lucille Ideker, 92, of Whiting, was taken to be with the Lord Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 at The Pines South in Holton, with family by her side. She was born June 19, 1930 in Netawaka, the first child of Otto and Elsie Stuenkel Brandt.

Esther was baptized July 6, 1930 and renewed her baptismal vow on her Confirmation Day, May 26, 1944, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Netawaka, by the Rev. O.C. Mueller. Godparents were Frieda Drewes and Clarence Thieme.

Early education was at Netawaka Grade School and graduating from Netawaka High School in 1948. She attended Clark’s Secretarial School in Topeka and later attended Highland Community College and Washburn University, where she graduated from Washburn School of Nursing in 1987.

On Christmas Day 1951, she was united in marriage to Charles H. Ideker at Immanuel Lutheran Church by the Rev. Harold Jacobsmeyer. Her beloved husband, Charles, of 34 years, was taken to be with the Lord on Sept. 26, 1986. Charles and Esther were blessed with two children, Cynthia Erin Elaine Ideker and Curtis Charles Ideker.

Esther was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, serving as District Archivist-Historian. She was a board member of the Kansas District Lutheran Historical Society, Jackson County Historical Society, Kansas and American Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honorary. In 1990, she was an original organizer for Jackson County Friends of Hospice. She was also a correspondent for The Holton Recorder, writing the Immanuel Lutheran Church news.

Survivors include her daughter, Cynthia E.E. Ideker of Olympia, Wash.; son, Curtis C. Ideker (Annie) of Dallas, Texas; brother, Les Brandt (Jan) of Holton; eight grandchildren, Kelsey, Keira and Kiana Chong and James Patrick, Henry Charles, Kathryn Joan, Margaret Ann and Joseph Sargent Ideker; sister-in-law, Marge Smith (Ron) of Austin, Texas; 14 nieces and nephews, Dawn Guju, Kevin and Chris Ross, Justin, Jason and Jordan Brandt, Roger, Mike and Mark Brown, Todd and Brandon Griffith, Angie and Chris Esquibel, Leslie Florence and all their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Elsie Brandt; her husband, Charles Ideker; her three brothers, Buddy, Harold and Richard Brandt; and her sister, Marilyn Ross.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Netawaka. Burial will follow at the Netawaka Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or Jackson County Friends of Hospice, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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