Esther L. Pfister

Esther L. Pfister, 96, of Adrian, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2013, under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Lenawee. Born May 3, 1916, in Adrian, Michigan, she was the daughter of Royal and Mary (Smith) Kidman. Her family was active in their church, West Adrian United Church of Christ, where she met Medford Pfister, also of Adrian. They were married on March 16, 1935. He preceded her in death in 1984. Esther and Medford raised their children and operated a dairy farm in Adrian. In 1969, she became the bookkeeper for the dental practice of Murray, Laidlaw and Wolf, of Tecumseh. She retired in 1982. Encouraged by her father, Esther was a self-taught pianist and organist. She was the organist at her church for many decades and enjoyed accompanying her children and grandchildren for recitals and solos. A life-long member of her church, she also served as president of the Women’s Fellowship and was active with the West Adrian Quilters. She was a 4H leader for the West Adrian Live Wires and a member of the Rome Grange, Better Homes Extension Club, and Woolworth Women’s Club. A talented seamstress and an accomplished quilter, Esther won 1st place at the national Grange quilting competition in 1994. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband. She is survived by one son, Russell (Michele Slowey) Pfister of Portsmouth, VA; one daughter, Mary (David) Heimerdinger of Clinton; one daughter-in-law, Jean Pfister of Adrian; 11 grandchildren: Sherrie (Brian) Bertram of Onsted; Mark (Amy) Pfister of Adrian; Christine Lancaster and George (Karen) Lancaster both of Saline; Brenda Beloosesky and Laura Pfister, both of Kew Gardens, NY; Steve Winter of Seattle, WA; Kimberly (Craig) Davis of Mound View, MN; Melissa Winter (Michael Khoo) of Washington, DC; Audra (Jason) Stringer and Julia Heimerdinger both of Clinton; and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Robert, in infancy and John Pfister, in 2008; and one sister, Alice Griffin. Funeral services for Esther will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2013, at Wagley Funeral Home, with Rev. John Kottke officiating. Burial will follow at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park in Adrian. Visitation will be on Thursday, at the funeral home from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Contributions in memory of Esther may be made to the West Adrian United Church of Christ. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Esther L. Pfister

May 3, 1916 - March 12, 2013