Esther Lorena Guthmiller

Esther Lorena Ehresmann was born on December 22, 1924, in Delmont, SD, to Robert and Ida (Fischer) Ehresmann. Esther worked for the bank in Delmont while attending high school. After graduating from high school she worked at Security National Bank in Sioux City. Esther grew up on a farm in Charles Mix County during the depth of the Great Depression. As she was the first child born to her parents, she often talked about working alongside her father in the fields. She attended a country school, and when her high school years rolled around, she and her sister, Ruby, drove a 1927 Whippet into Delmont for school.
Esther was united in marriage to Maynard Guthmiller on December 29, 1946. They worked together to remodel a country church that had been moved to Tripp, SD, and it remained the family home until Esther’s death. Esther dedicated herself to being a homemaker. She was named a South Dakota Mother of the Year Merit Mother in 1976, receiving the award at the State Capitol in Pierre.
Esther was a Sunday School teacher for 22 years, sang in the church choir, and was a member of the Friedens Reformed Women’s Guild for more than 65 years. She was a 4-H club leader, Future Homemakers of America advisor, and member of the Tripp High School Band Boosters. She was a member of Jelkin-Harms American Legion Post #142 and the Ladies Aid Extension Club.
Esther spent countless hours providing service to her community and church. She loved children, gardening and yardwork.
She spent many hours driving elderly friends and family to medical appointments in Sioux Falls, Yankton, and Mitchell.
Esther died Monday, October 9, 2017, in Avera St. Benedict Health Center in Parkston.
Esther is survived by her Children: Burton (Linda) Guthmiller of Sioux Falls, Barbara (Jan) Ausdemore of San Diego, CA, and Beth (John) Hughes of Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren: Daniel (Kami) Guthmiller, David Guthmiller, Deb Herrboldt, Angel (Paul) Crossland; Jamie (Eli) Humphrey, Elliott (Alice) Hughes, Stuart (Nevada) Hughes, and Evan Hughes; seven great grandchildren: Jace and Elle Guthmiller, Bryce Herrboldt, Serenity and Justice Humphrey, and Jameson and Clark Hughes.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard, her parents, Robert and Ida Ehresmann, sister Ruby (Maag), brothers Alvin Ehresmann and Ronald Ehresmann, and grandson Luke Ausdemore.