Esther Heinze Bartsch

Esther Heinze Bartsch, age 88, of Mankato, died Friday, October 20, 2006 at Autumn Grace Senior Services in Mankato.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Mankato, with Rev. Paul Nolting officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be held at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Grade School.

Esther Sarah Anna Kroeger was born on October 11, 1918 in rural Rapidan. She was the daughter of Alfred and Lydia (Hermel) Kroeger. Esther was a 1937 graduate of Rapidan High School. She graduated from Bethany Lutheran College and Mankato State Teachers College, and received her Masters Degree from Mankato State University. Esther was united in marriage to Milton Heinze on September 19, 1945 in Rapidan. He passed away in 1951. She later married Edwin Bartsch on June 19, 1981 in Mankato. He passed away in 1994.

Esther was a life-long teacher, having taught in Mankato at Immanuel Lutheran Grade School, and in Mountain Lake, Madison, Minneota, and Madelia. She retired in 1982. She was a member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Mankato where she participated in the Ladies Auxiliary and the choir. She was also active with the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Retired Educators, local bowling leagues, and Hanska square dancing. She enjoyed bowling, square dancing, gardening, flowers, and nature.

Esther is survived by her four children, Roger Heinze of West Bend, WI, Carolyn (John) Day of Richland, NE, Lois (Forrest) Walters of Prior Lake, and Charlene (Chester) Barke of Henderson; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one brother, Martin (Rose) Kroeger of North Mankato; one sister, Ruth (Donald) Huebl of Waseca; also many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Milton and Edwin; and one brother, Reuben Kroeger.