Esther Naessig

Esther Naessig, 97 of Webster died on Monday, August 8, 2011 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol. Her funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 13, 2011 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Daniel Ostercamp will officiate. Burial will be at Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Saturday at the church. Esther Myrtle Ludtke was born on Friday, January 9, 1914 to Otto and Emma (Hintzeman) Ludtke at Webster, South Dakota. The family resided on a farm in Morton Township, Day County east of Webster. She was baptized at the German Lutheran Church in Webster. She attended country school near her home and graduated from Webster High School in 1932. She married Lloyd Rowland in Minneapolis, Minnesota and then they moved to Oakland, California. To this union, five children were born, Marlene, Lloyd, Lester, Bernard and Gayle. She returned to Webster and in 1947 married Arthur Reiprich. On August 22, 1960 she was united in marriage to Carl W. Naessig. After their marriage the couple made their home in Webster where he farmed south of town and she worked at Bethesda Home as a cook for many years and later as head cook for three years. The couple entered Bethesda Home in April 2005. Carl passed away in October 2005. She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church where she was active in Ladies Aide and Circle. She was instrumental in the planning and forming of Pleasant View Apartments, was very proud of her association with the Webster Senior Meal Program and being a part of acquiring the Senior Transportation for Day County. She was actively involved in the Hospital Auxiliary. She was selected by then Governor Janklow to represent the Day County Senior Citizens in Washington, D.C. While there, she met President Ronald Reagan and Senator Tom Daschle. Esther passed away on Monday, August 8, 2011 at Bristol, South Dakota at the age of 97 years, 6 months and 30 days. She is survived by all her five children, Marlene (Harold Mitchell) VanDenBerg of Sioux Falls, SD, Lloyd (Grace) Rowland of Vermillion, SD, Lester (Loxie) Rowland of Waubay, SD, Bernard (Margaret) Rowland of Albany, OR and Gayle Naessig of Newark, OH; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Lois Monteith. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and four brothers.