Esther Lavonne Krieger

Esther L. Krieger, age 80 of Sibley, IA died Saturday, September 30, 2006 at the Sibley Nursing and Rehab Center in Sibley, IA. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, with Reverend Terry Simm officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley. Visitation will be from 2-8 PM on Tuesday, October 3rd, with the family present from 3-8 PM at the Walton-Roste Funeral Home of Sibley Esther LaVonne Krieger was born on December 27, 1925, on a farm in Viola Township near Sibley; the daughter of Martin and Sarah (Popkes) Bush of Ellsworth, MN. She was baptized, confirmed, and an active member of the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. She sang in the choir, played piano, and taught Sunday school and Bible school. Esther graduated from Ellsworth High School, Mankato State Teachers College, and Northwestern College of Orange City. She also earned credits from St. Cloud, Marycrest, and Sioux Falls College. She taught school for a total of thirty years in Brewster, Stewartville, Rushmore and Sibley. She retired from teaching in 1991. Esther was united in marriage to Heinz Krieger on March 19, 1947, in Ellsworth. To this union were born ten children. The couple farmed in Southwest Minnesota and Northwest Iowa until 1967. They have since made their home in Sibley. She became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, and taught Sunday school and Bible school. Her faith was very important to her and strengthened as she studied the Bible. Esther was active with the Osceola County 4-H program. She taught Entomology and was superintendent of the open class vegetables at the Osceola County Fair. Esther had a great love for music. She played piano and taught herself to play organ, she often played for her family. She also found great pleasure in oil painting. Her paintings are proudly displayed in her home and the homes of her children. She always kept busy with gardening, crafts and sewing. Esthers favorite time was having tea with family and friends. She always put others needs before her own. Esther has been house bound for several months after being diagnosed with cancer. She passed away at Sibley Nursing and Rehab surrounded by her loving family. Esther is survived by her husband Heinz Krieger of Sibley; their children Larry (wife Tanya) Krieger of Fayetteville, NC, Laureen (husband Richard) Engler of Sibley, IA, Douglas (wife Ann) Krieger of Fayetteville, NC, Michael (wife Paula) Krieger of Sibley, Steven (wife Jan) Krieger of Chadbourn, NC, Alan (wife Mary) Krieger of Yuma, AZ, Sharon (husband Jeffrey) Maltas of Sibley, Jacqueline (husband Garold) Leathers of Sibley, Judith (husband Douglas) Lancaster of Austin, TX, Gregory (wife Charlene) Krieger of Sibley; thirty-five grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and one brother Marvin (wife Jean) Bush of Witchita, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents.