Obituary

Esther Nickel Schowalter died October 1, 2014 in Newton, Kansas.

Esther was born in a sod house east of Goessel to Peter B. Nickel and Margret Franz Nickel on March 29, 1924. She graduated from Goessel High School in 1942.  On March 28, 1947, she married Aldine (Al) Schowalter in the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel. To this union three children were born: son, Bruce Schowalter; and daughters, Judy Lynn and Cindy Schowalter. Al and Esther adopted Travis Schowalter. He brought much joy to their life as well.

Esther retired from Halstead Hospital. She enjoyed crafts of all sorts including wheat weaving (her favorite), tole painting, decoupage, ceramics, sewing garments, tatting, Brazilian embroidery, macramé, crocheting, quilting (Al helped, he was a good quilter) and baking. Much of her wheat weaving was donated for the MCC Auction each year and a piece is also displayed at the Smithsonian Institute.  Al and Esther were members of the Burrton Mennonite Church.

She leaves to mourn her son, Bruce Schowalter; two grandsons, Jeremy Schowalter of Taft, Oklahoma, and Travis Schowalter and his wife, Suzanne Schowalter of Overland Park; along with many dear friends and relatives. Preceding Esther in death was her husband, Aldine and her daughters, Judy Lynn Schowalter and Cindy Schowalter. 

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday (October 5, 2014). Funeral service will be at Petersen Funeral Home on Monday (October 6, 2014) at 1:00 p.m.  Memorials may be made to Asbury Park.