Esther Hiebert
Esther Helen (Suderman) Hiebert, 91, died May 21, 2002, at Hillsboro Community Medical Center Long Term Care.
Born Nov. 18, 1910, to Nicolas H. and Helen (Stelting) Suderman, she was the youngest and only daughter of three children.
She was baptized April 16, 1922, by the Rev. J.K. Hiebert, joining Ebenfeld MB Church where her parents were members.
She grew up on the family farm and, although education beyond grade school was not the norm, she attended Tabor Academy for two years.
An accomplished musician, she was accompanist for the choir and male chorus at Ebenfeld church for more than 20 years.
On Nov. 24, 1935, she and Walt Hiebert were married at Ebenfeld. Walter's father, Peter Hiebert, was one of the church pastors and officiated at the wedding ceremony.
The young couple purchased a farm and raised a family. Gardening was a necessity and she enjoyed the task. When mechanization helped alleviate the workload, she switched from gardening out of need to doing it for enjoyment. Flowers of all kinds decorated the yard and she spent countless hours nurturing special plants.
Her husband died in 1975.
She is survived by five children and their spouses, Lewis and Mary Lou Hiebert of Sacramento, Calif., Betty and Eugene Just of Aulne, Helen and Wilbur Leppke of Peabody, Roger and Mary Alice Hiebert of Marion, and Joyce and Robert Schmidt of Wichita; 14 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, Hillsboro, with the Rev. Gaylord Goertzen officiating.
David Schmidt read the life sketch and Kent Leppke had the scripture reading.
Special music was provided by Lyle Leppke, Rick Just, Randy Just, and Rod Just. Joan Hiebert Moya was accompanist.
Dean Hiebert was song leader and Rubena Suderman, organist.
Casket bearers were Stuart Leppke, Kent Leppke, Cameron Reimer, Ricardo Moya, Jason Malaschak, and Jeff Vogt.
Honorary casket bearers were Lyndal Hiebert and Michael Hiebert.
Burial was in Ebenfeld Church Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established with Union Rescue Mission.
