Esther Breuer

Esther Kathryn Breuer, age 97, of Glen Haven, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at Atrium Post Acute Care in Lancaster surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 22, 1918, the daughter of Frank and Clementine (Herbers) Bohnenkamp. Esther attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Bloomington, graduating 8^th grade, and came home to work on the family farm. She also spent her time cleaning homes and assisting families when new bundles of joy arrived.

Esther met and married Ambrose Kirschbaum on July 12, 1944. To this union four boys were born. They were married until Ambrose's passing on June 1, 1955. She was later united in marriage to Alphonse Breuer on April 27, 1957 at St. Mary's Church in Glen Haven. They lived on what became the family farm in Glen Haven and added three more boys to the family. He preceded her in death on May 15, 1993. Esther enjoyed quilting, gardening, word puzzles and in later years visiting the meal site in Cassville. She was very proud of keeping a pristine home and was still cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry in the farmhouse until she moved to Lancaster in May of 2015. Her greatest joy was raising her family and watching it continue to grow as the years passed.

She is survived by seven sons: Phil (Pat); Ron (Sue); Gene; Stan (Beth) Kirschbaum; Joe (Cindi); Ken; and Ed (Mary) Breuer; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law: Doris Bohnenkamp, Dorothy Breuer, Annie Wagner, Agatha Breuer and Sister Solano Breuer; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husbands, Ambrose Kirschbaum and Alphonse Breuer, Esther was preceded in death her brothers: Alfred (Leona), Vulmar, John and two infant brothers, Raymond and Joseph Bohnenkamp; sisters: Alice (Lawrence) Felder; Irene (Albert) Osterhaus; brothers-in-law: Leo (Laura); Leonard; Roland (Agnes) Breuer; Tony Wagner; and Ray (Pauline) Crubel.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, November 30, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glen Haven with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial was in Gockel Cemetery, Glen Haven Township. Family and friends called on Sunday, November 29, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glen Haven where a 12:45 p.m. parish rosary was held. Friends also called on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Bloomington is assisting the family.