Esther Raschke

Esther Meta Raschke…

was born to John and Helena (Bartels) Smidt on July 30, 1923 on a farm near Edgerton, MN where she was raised and received her education. After her graduation from high school, she worked in a beauty shop in Jasper, MN and later in Pipestone, MN. On April 2, 1943, she was united in marriage to Orlen Raschke at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Edgerton. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm near Holland, MN where they farmed and raised their two children. On September 10, 1990, they retired and moved to a home in Pipestone. Then, on May 6, 2010, Orlen and Esther moved into Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone. After complications of a stroke, Esther entered the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. In June, 2016, Orlen also moved to Good Samaritan where they shared a room until Orlen’s death on December 3, 2016. Esther missed her husband of 73 years very much. Esther enjoyed celebrating her 94th birthday on Saturday, July 29, 2017 with family and friends and died peacefully that night at the age of 93 years, 11 months and 29 days.

Esther was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Edgerton. After she was married, she became a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland where she was an active member of the Ladies Aid and Circle. She also taught Sunday school and served as Sunday School Superintendent. In her later retirement years, she became a member of St. Paul Lutheran church in Pipestone. Esther volunteered at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where she helped the residents with their hair care. She enjoyed fishing, quilting, and doing needlework. She and Orlen loved to watch Minnesota Twins baseball.

She is lovingly remembered by her son, Steven Raschke of San Diego, CA; her son-in-law, Delwyn (Julie) Spronk of Faribault, MN; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Denise (Oscar) Bishop of Prior Lake, MN and their children, AJ Vanderby, Shere-Ka and Yari, Shannon (Chelsy) Spronk of Rapid City, SD and their children, Hannah, Brooklyn and Kennedy, and Chad Spronk of Faribault; one step-granddaughter, Nina (Durat) Richardson Gray; one step-grandson, Christopher (Michelle) Kellogg; and two sisters-in-law, Doris Smidt and Dorothy Smidt of Pipestone. Esther is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Orlen; her daughter, Kathlyn Spronk; daughter-in-law, Lauren Raschke; her parents; two brothers, Alvin and Russell Smidt; and three infant brothers.