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Esther Byerly
ESTHER MARIE BYERLY
Anamosa
Esther Marie Byerly, 94,
of Anamosa, died Thursday, June 7, 2018, at the Anamosa Care Center. Visitation will be at Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa, on Sunday, June 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. Services and reception will be held at Anamosa United Methodist Church on Monday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa.
Esther is survived by her children, Bruce Byerly of Dubuque and Warren (Luann) Byerly, Marion; grandchildren, Kristine of Dayton, Ohio, Michael (Jamie) of Rome, Ga., Brad of Augusta, Ga., and Kyle of St. Louis, Mo; great-grandchildren, Devon, Paige and Ashley; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard, in July 1976, whom she married in San Francisco in May 1942; her daughter, Pam Himebaugh, in June 2015; and brother, Robert Byers.
Esther was born in Anamosa, Iowa, on Jan. 17, 1924. She was a lifelong resident of Anamosa.
Esty will be remembered as someone quick to laugh and smile, and even quicker to give you a hug. She was the "queen of hugs" and found the perfect job for 20 years as a greeter at Walmart. She never met a person she couldn't hug, as her many dear friends (and quite a few strangers) will attest to.
For many Christmas seasons, Esty blessed many children in her favorite role as Mrs. Santa Claus.
Memorials may be made to Jones Regional Hospital Cardiac Rehab Center, Anamosa, and Above & Beyond Hospice Care, Monticello.
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