Esther Alscena (Winters) Arensdorf, age 83 of Tryon passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019 in North Platte, Nebraska.
Esther was born at the family farm northeast of Tryon on April 14, 1935 to Warren and Ora (Miller) Winters, the youngest of their children. Esther attended elementary school at the District 1 country school in McPherson County and District 4 in Tryon. She attended McPherson County High School. On June 7, 1952, Esther was united in marriage to Dale Duane Arensdorf in Julesburg, Colorado. They lived at the Bird Huffman ranch until May 1953. They then moved to the Walt Bassett ranch where they resided the rest of her life. They had five children: Deb, Dan, Jeff, Pat, and Dale Dee.
She had many talents – cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, and gardening – that she used to support her family and demonstrate her love for them and her friends. Each child, grandchild, and great grandchild had a favorite meal that she would happily prepare, and anyone who stopped by the ranch near mealtime was treated to great food and a card game. Everyone raved about her branding and holiday meals. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have beautiful quilts – “love in stitches” – that she lovingly sewed by hand for them, in addition to making rugs, towels, afghans, and other items.
Esther was joyful in nature and always laughing. Her creativity and playfulness created unforgettable memories for her family and friends at Halloween and Easter in particular. She loved to tell stories and entertain. She especially loved dancing, playing games, and making happy memories with her family and friends. Her thoughtfulness was unmatched with cards and hand-written letters for each birthday, anniversary, and special occasion. She was a member of the Helping Hand Club, where she enjoyed collaborating with her neighbors and friends.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Dale, sisters Wilma Neal and Alma Bullington, daughters Deb (Jim) Schmidt and Pat (Cliff) Dailey, sons Dan (Berva), Jeff, and Dale Dee (Peg), 16 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren. Grandchildren include Randi (Patrick) Gude, Ryan (Kendra) Schmidt, Alan (Nicole) Schmidt, Dana (Kyle) Songster, Dawna (Derek) Payton, Darla (Terry) Sautter, Wyatt (Erin) Arensdorf, Jason (Jennifer) Arensdorf, Jeremy Arensdorf, Jared (Amanda) Arensdorf, Warren (Jackie) Dailey, Lara (Ben) Hager, Bandy (Chari) Arensdorf, Levi (Amber Hollenbeck) Arensdorf, Dale Riley Arensdorf, and Duell Arensdorf.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Alice, sister Dorothy Kramer, brothers Roy and Glenn Winters, daughter-in-law Joleen (Shelly) Arensdorf, and granddaughter Jessika Songster.
Memorials may be made to the Tryon Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department and online condolences can be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 2pm at the McPherson County High School Gymnasium with the Reverend Dr. Doug Delp officiating. Burial will follow at the Miller Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1 pm to 8pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 with family receiving visitors from 6pm until 8pm at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.