Wilson, Esther Ellen

Esther Ellen Wilson, 90, lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, passed from this life at Mercy Medical Center, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel by Chaplain Joe Kane. Interment: Czech National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Surviving Esther are her daughters, Wanda (John) Burck and Katherine Anderson, all of Cedar Rapids, Beverly (William) Packingham of Palo, and Jacquelyn (fiance, Dick Lewis) Schirmer, of Shellsburg.

She welcomed and enjoyed visits from her many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be missed deeply by them and her close circle of friends.

Esther was born on Aug. 11, 1921, the daughter of Ada Mary (Holcomb) and Joseph Tyler Jay.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her adoptive father, Arnold Maeder; a son, Milo Emil; and her sister, Teresa Little.

She retired as cleaning supervisor from Securities Corporation of Iowa in 1994. Esther crocheted most of her life, was an avid reader and enjoyed country and gospel music. Esther was a member of Olivet Presbyterian Church, Eagles and the American Legion Auxiliary.

The family members would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff of Hospice of Mercy and Mercy Medical Center for the loving care given to our mother.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.