ESTHER BECHTEL

Esther M. Bechtel was born August 23, 1919, in Ludlow Township near Waukon to parents Albert and Martha (Kiesau) Snitker. She was baptized and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church. She attended rural school and upon graduation from Waukon High school in 1937, continued her education at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1940 with a nursing degree.
Esther married Matthew Bechtel of Lansing on November 3, 1945, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Matt and Esther lived in Hampton, Cresco, and Webster City before moving to Sheffield in 1952. As a Registered Nurse, Esther worked at the hospital in Decorah and in Sheffield, she was employed by Dr. W.W. Taylor for over 30 years.
Esther was active in various church and community activities. She served as a 4-H leader for many years, a Lutheran Brotherhood communicator, was on the Care Review Committee for the Transition Center in Mason City and on the board for the North Iowa Mentally Ill.
Esther enjoyed traveling, camping, genealogy, antiques, and spending time with her family. Due to congestive heart failure, Esther was hospitalized early in April; at the time of her death she was a resident of the Sheffield Care Center. Both in the hospital and the Care Center she touched her caregivers with her kindness.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Daniel Bechtel of Hampton; two daughters, Anne M. (Steven) Bakke of Forest City, and Janice (Jeff) Ferris of Chapin; son, Brian (Janet) Bechtel, Mason City; grandchildren, Aaron and Laura Bakke, Forest City, Chad Ferris, Chapin, and Elizabeth, Jim and Ben Bechtel of Mason City. Many nephews and nieces also survive Esther.
Esther is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Matthew; a sister, Marge; a brother, Oliver Snitker; and a brother-in-law, Vernon Kamp.