This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ChgoKid Surnames: Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.shawano/17267/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Shawano Leader - Friday, October 02, 2009 Esther L. West Esther L. West, age 80, of Clintonville, formerly of Marion, passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 1, 2009 at the Pine Manor Health Care Center in Embarrass. Esther was born on Oct. 12, 1928 in Bowler. She was the daughter of the late Herman and Esther (Grosskopf) Matz. Within hours of her birth, Mother Esther passed away. Baby Esther was immediately baptized by the Rev. Walter Nuechterlein and was taken to the home of her paternal grandparents, Frank and Louise (Bartelme) Matz, with whom she lived until their deaths. Esther graduated from Bowler High School and Central State Teachers College, Rural Division, Stevens Point. She began her teaching career in Elcho, Wis. where she met and later married Oscar West on Oct. 29, 1949. The couple moved to Birnamwood, Wis. where Esther taught elementary school, later teaching in Eland, Wis. Oscar's employment caused them to move to Baraboo, Wis. where Esther also taught for several years at East School. During this time she particularly enjoyed participating for worship in church as both a member and director of the choir and also as church organist. In 1967 the West family moved to Marion where Esther began working as a librarian later becoming director of the library retiring in 1993. Esther called herself a "sports nut". In other words her favorite sport to watch was whichever sport was in season. High school and college sports were her favorites as she felt is was important to show interest and support for young people. Esther and Oscar were avid UW-Green Bay Phoenix basketball fans enjoying season tickets to their games for 17 years. The couple also went on trips with the Phoenix Booster Club traveling from Alaska to Texas and anywhere in between. As health problems developed after her retirement, Esther spent most her time at her sewing machine making qui! lts for Lutheran World Relief. She was a charter member of the Marion Athletic Booster Club, serving as its historian. Esther was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 57 years. Survivors include: her husband, Oscar; her sons, Paul (Kathy A.) West, Oshkosh, Bruce (Kathy L.) West, Green Bay; three grandchildren, Krista (Bryan) Karlson, Kari (Jason) Smith Joshua West; three great-grandchildren; two Brothers, Gene (Yvonne) Matz, Greenville, Rodney (Carolyn) Matz, Neenah; one sister, Rita (Dewey) Norton, Fla. Esther was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with the Rev. Willard Hager officiating. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in the Town of Almon, Shawano County, Wis. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the services. Memorials may be directed to the Lutheran World Relief in Baltimore, Md. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory in Clintonville is assisting her family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.eberhardtstevenson.com. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.