Atwater, Esther M.

Esther M. Atwater, 89, of Marion, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at her home with her family by her side. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, First Presbyterian Church, Marion. The Rev. Dr. Nancy Redman will officiate with inurnment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, and one hour before the service.

Survivors include her children, Sharon (Gary) Knapp of Marion, Lloyd (Marilyn) Atwater of Malabar, Fla., Vern (Nancy) Atwater of Minneapolis, Minn., Sue Kelly of Springville, and Larry (Sue) Atwater of Cedar Rapids; 10 grandchildren, Tammy (Scott) Kelly, Ron (Kim) Knapp, Angie Yeisley, George Atwater, Libby Atwater, Kirk Atwater, Nick (Brittany) Kelly, Sarah Kelly, Jordan Atwater and Mark Atwater; nine great-grandchildren, Dustin Franklin, Josh Kelly, Mariah Kelly, Beth Knapp, Ben Knapp, Maddie Knapp, Mackenzie Yeisley, Jordyn Deyo and Charlee Ann Kelly; and sister, Hollis Canady.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George in 1961; parents; sisters, Mildred Shipe and Oma Armstrong; and brother, Claire Booth.

Esther was born Dec. 27, 1920, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Richard and Sarah “Alice” (Brown) Booth. Esther graduated from Wilson High School in 1938. She married George Atwater on Sept. 25, 1940 in Cedar Rapids. She was employed at Indian Creek Country Club and Cryovac for many years, retiring in 1983. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion and Farm Bureau Chorus.

Esther's greatest joys were her family, attending many of their activities until her health declined. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, photography, crossword puzzles, swinging in her swing and playing cribbage. In teaching her family cribbage, this helped her grandchildren learn how to count.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or to Camp Courageous.

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