Graveside services for Esther Muth, age 96, of Hettinger, ND, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Reeder, ND. Rev. Richard Wyman will officiate. Following the service a time of sharing memories and refreshments will be held at the Reeder Senior Center.

Esther Magdeline Muth, 96, of Hettinger, ND, passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND.

Esther Muth was born on March 20, 1920 in Darling Springs Township, Adams County, ND to Victor and Mary Grace (Hays) Goods. Esther moved with her parents to Watford City, ND, then moved to Williston, ND, where she grew up with an older brother, Ralph, a younger sister, Marie, brothers, Robert, James, Eugene and William. She attended Webster Public School and one and a half years at Williston High School. Esther was very active enjoying acrobats, swimming, hiking, fishing, roller and ice skating, playing softball and babysitting. Esther dropped out of school in 1939 to move to Reeder, ND to help her Aunt Olive Tweet who was ill, later she cared for an elderly lady.

On January 18, 1941, Esther married Jacob (Jack) Muth at the Methodist parsonage, in Hettinger, ND. They lived in Reeder, where Jerry was born in January, 1942. Jack entered the service in October 1942. Esther and Jerry joined him at Watsonville, CA. Esther and Jerry later moving to Tacoma, WA. where she worked at the F. S. Harmow Furniture Factory. Due to his health, Jack was discharged in April of 1944. In 1945, they moved back to Reeder, ND where Lorlee was born in July, 1946. In October, 1947, they moved to Puyallup, WA, when her parents retired, Esther took over management of the Commercial Hotel while Jack worked for Parker Schram Construction. With an offer to farm in 1948 they moved to the Valentine Muth farm near Ellingson, SD. Marla was born at Hettinger, ND in October, 1950.

Due to Jack's failing health they moved to Reeder, ND, in 1953 where Jack operated (with Esther's help) the Standard Station for seven years. Clinton was born at Hettinger, ND in June, 1959.

Later Esther worked part time at two Reeder cafes, was an excellent seamstress, often sewing for her family and others. She enjoyed crafts, quilting, painting, gardening and bowling. Esther was a member of the Reeder Congregational Church, Happy Homemakers, the American Legion Auxiliary, a bowling team and often played cards with friends and family. She loved her family, friends, pets and was a great mother-in-law.

Since 2009, due to health problems, Esther has spent time living with her son, Jerry, moved to an apartment in Hettinger, to Western Horizons Living Center, to her daughter's home in Pahrump, NV., then back to Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, brothers Ralph and wife Emma, Robert and wife Venita, and Eugene, a sister Marie Kinsley and a son-in-law Richard Klein.

She is survived by sister-in-law Carol Goods, brothers Jim and wife Bea, of Silverdale, WA., Bill and wife JoAnn, of Salem, OR, sons Jerry (Doris) of Reeder, ND, Clinton (Gayle) of Staples, MN., daughters Lorlee Klein of Hettinger, ND, Marla Bock (Kenneth) of Pahrump, NV. Additionally, Esther is survived by Grandchildren, Kerry Klein Eide, Tracy Klein, Randell Klein, Monte Muth, Todd Muth (Sarah), Robert Muth (Lora), Jaclyn Bock, Kenneth Bock II, and Great Grandchildren Lacey, Jenni and Kassi Eide, Randell Klein II and Isaac, Evan and Emberly Muth and Great Granddaughter Adriana Eide.