Esther (Mayer) Bader, age 89, of Mott, ND, passed away on January 20, 2024, after a short stay at Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND.

Visitation for Esther will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. all on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Mott, ND.  A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow at the funeral home.  Private family burial will be held at a later date at the Sunnyslope Cemetery in Mott, ND.

Esther P. Mayer was born on February 6, 1934, the oldest of two children born to Philip and Lydia Mayer at Eureka, SD.  At the age of six, Esther moved with her family to a farm near Haynes, ND, and a few years later, to another nearby farm that she would call home for the next eight decades.  She attended country school through the 8th grade and spent the entirety of her life doing farm work and tending to her beloved animals.  In her younger years, among many other things, she helped her father raise watermelons to sell during the summer.  Interestingly, she was one of very few people who didn't like watermelon!

Esther married Peter J. Bader of Mott, ND, on September 29, 1957.  A son, Gordon, blessed their lives in April of 1959.  These three were constant companions in work and life.  They were later joined by Gordon's wife, Debbie.

Though Esther put in many hours and years of labor on the farm, there was no place she would rather be and nothing else she would rather do.  Her family managed to lure her away on a memorable vacation to Las Vegas to celebrate her and Pete's 50th anniversary.

Esther worked alongside her husband for many years tending to the sheep and livestock, putting up thousands of hay bales and milking several cows.  They would travel to town each Friday to sell milk and cream.  Esther was always available to lend an extra hand, especially during pheasant season.  Animals and raising a large garden were a big part of her life.  She developed a special fondness for the British White cattle breed, and DD the farm dog she spoiled with a special breakfast each day.

Esther was known for her excellent cooking and baking skills.  Due to her German Heritage, cheese buttons and strudel were two favorites.  A hobby she enjoyed was adding to her collection of stuffed animals.  Her favorite activity was cruising around the farm in her side by side, enjoying the sights and sounds of each season.

Esther's strength, independence, and spunky personality will be missed by all who knew her.

Holding her memory especially close are her son Gordon, daughter-in-law, Debbie, her sisters-in-law, Cecilia Renken of Yankton, SD, Pauline Bader of Carson, ND, Irene Bader of Bismarck, ND, and Eleanor Bader of Emerado, ND; brother-in-law, Albert Bader of Elgin, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and neighbors and many four-legged companions who benefitted from her loving care.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Pete, her parents, Philip and Lydia, her brother, Chris Mayer, brothers-in-law, Joe, Valentine, Frank and Edwin Bader and Jim Renken, sisters-in-law, Joanne Mayer and Eileen Bader and niece, Jody Bader.