Doris J. Esau
1916 — 2013
Doris J. Esau 96, formerly of Petersburg, NE, died Thursday, August 15, 2013 at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE.
Funeral Services were held Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Albion, NE with Reverends Ray & Mary Avidano officiating.
Interment followed at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at Petersburg.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome.com.
Doris Josephine Esau was born August 20, 1916 to John and Hannah (Retzlaff) Wilkinson in Oakdale, NE. She was baptized in June 1953 at the United Church of Christ, Congregational at Albion, NE. She received her education near Elgin, NE at Cedar Creek School, Maple Grove School and graduated from Park Center High School in May of 1931.
On September 19, 1941 Doris and Elmer Esau were united in marriage at Bartlett, NE.
To this union were born 4 children: Janet, Duane, Marilyn, Elaine. They lived and farmed at Halls ranch and Halls farm near Petersburg, NE before moving into Petersburg in 1971.
She later moved to Cloverlodge Care Center in Saint Edward, NE in 2008.
Doris was a loving housewife and mother and worked with her husband on the farm as they raised their family.
Doris had many passions in life including: gardening, flowers, reading, embroidery, and especially for her family. She was a member of the United Church of Christ, Congregational at Albion since August 30, 1953 and served several terms as a Deacon of the church.
She is survived by daughter Marilyn (Jesse) Abrego of Columbus, NE; son Duane (Janice) Esau of Elgin, NE; sister Shirley (Donald “Bud) Ofe of Oakdale, NE; sister-in-law: Belle (Robert) Esau of Petersburg, NE; son-in-law: Jim (Janet) O’Cilka of Petersburg, NE; six grandchildren: John (Lisa) O’Cilka of Rapid City, SD; Jennifer (Tim) Kalvelage of Hastings, NE; Scott (Heather) VanDeWalle of Philipsburg, PA; Jason (Tonja) O’Cilka of Rapid City, SD; Krystal Dittmer of Wilbur, NE; Angie (Kenny) Swanson of Emerson, NE; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Elmer on July 7, 1997; two daughters, Elaine Esau and Janet O’Cilka; grandson Matthew VanDeWalle; 4 brothers and 4 sisters.
