Esther M. (Sperle) Gienger

Esther M. Gienger, 94, of Aberdeen, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Milnor, ND, surrounded by her family.

Her private family funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 30, 2020, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, with Pastor Tim Sersen, of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating.

Burial will take place at Long Lake Cemetery in Long Lake, SD.

Public visitation will be 3-5 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary.

Family and friends may sign Esther’s online guestbook and also view her service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Esther M. Sperle was born August 10, 1926, on the family farm near Ashley, ND to Gottlieb and Christine (Merkel) Sperle.  She attended rural schools and at the age of 17, moved to Leola, SD and worked at Perry’s Café as a waitress while living in a one-room apartment.  She then moved to Eureka, SD and worked at a nursing home as a nurse’s aide.  At age 18, Esther moved back to Ashley to help on the family farm.  

In 1944, Esther met the love of her life, Ruben Gienger, in Leola and they married on October 22, 1945.  The couple lived with Ruben’s parents for a short time before moving to Long Lake, where they operated a creamery station.  In 1947, they moved to Aberdeen and Esther did housekeeping at various homes for ten years.  Esther and Ruben then relocated to Pierre, where she worked at Ben Franklin and The Corner Drug Store before moving back to Aberdeen in 1967.  While living in Aberdeen, Esther found employment at Tonner’s Piggly Wiggly, Burckhard Bakery and Mercury Cleaners.  Her final job was being a caretaker of Betty Gorder before retiring at the age of 71.  Esther and Ruben shared 59 years of marriage before he passed away on April 22, 2004.

Esther was a member of Eagles Lodge 632 in Aberdeen for 50 years, where she was very active and held various office positions.  In her spare time, she enjoyed playing bingo, doing crafts and was a talented stained-glass artist.

Grateful for sharing Esther’s life are her children:  Jolene (Mike Shultz) Sandmeier of Milnor, ND, Curt (Kristi) Gienger of Aberdeen and Denny (Julie) Gienger of Sun City, AZ; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Otto Sperle of Aberdeen and Irvin Sperle of Union Gab, WA.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Ruben; one son, Wesley; her parents; eight siblings; three infant grandchildren; and one infant great-granddaughter. 

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