Esther Josephine Schulte

Esther J. Schulte, age 92, of Aberdeen, and formerly of Vermillion, SD, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2013, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 416 South Walker St, Vermillion, SD with Father John Fischer, Celebrant. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Vermillion.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Saturday.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of local arrangements. Hansen Funeral Home, 1120 East Main St. in Vermillion will be conducting the service. Friends may sign her online guestbook at either www.schriversmemorial.com or www.hansenfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Schulte was born August 26, 1921, in Newcastle, Nebraska, to John "J.T." and Elizabeth (Ross) Kneifl. She was the eighth oldest child in a family of six boys and six girls. Esther graduated from Newcastle High School in 1939 as Class Valedictorian.

She married Roman G. Schulte on September 12, 1945, in Newcastle, Nebraska. They lived in Sioux City, Iowa for about a year until Roman's employment led them to Omaha, Nebraska. From there she and her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico until Roman's promotion took the family to Watertown, South Dakota in 1956. She was active in church work and scouting activities of her children, as well as working as a teacher's aide. In 1974, she and Roman bought the Coast To Coast Store in Vermillion. After the store closed in 1988, she remained active in the local community and St. Agnes Church, as well as serving lovingly as a caregiver to her husband until his passing in 1991. After suffering a stroke in 1996, she moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota and resided in the Mother Joseph complex.

It was hard to be a stranger around Esther Schulte. She would engage you in a conversation and quickly be able to empathize with your concerns. Her family would kid her about her penchant for talking but always enjoyed hearing her voice and listening to her motherly "medical" advice. Having a wonderful sense of humor and a very positive attitude, this determined lady showed how to deal with challenges that life presented. Fond of doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, this warm-hearted, loving lady, who kept many in her prayers, will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her sons: Mark (Rosalie), Sartell, MN, Mike (Peggy), Mina, SD, and John (Suncha), Seoul, South Korea; her daughter, Mary (Allen) Thompson, Independence, MO; along with nine grandchildren (and their spouses); eight great-grandchildren; in addition to her brother, Michael (Ursula), Dixon, NE; and her sister, Mary Lou Duling, Sioux City, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roman, on August 19, 1991; infant granddaughter, Gina; and brothers and sisters: Phillip, William, Elizabeth "Dolly" Calvert, Richard, Florence Travers, Harold, Celia Breslin, Helen, and Darrell "Pat".