Esther Schmidt, 75, of Granite Falls, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Bethesda in Willmar. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 24th at 1:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Esther was born to Marvin and Irene (Schultz) Geske on December 18, 1946. She was the 6th of 12 children. Esther was baptized on January 12, 1947 and confirmed in 1960 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN.

She graduated from Lynd School and she attended cosmetology school. She met Doug Schmidt and they were united in marriage on August 17, 1968 in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN. Their union was blessed with 3 children and more than 52 years together.

Esther was a life-time member of the Granite Falls VFW Auxiliary and managed the VFW in the 1980’s. Douglas and Esther completed Project Turnabout, Growth group and eventually becoming Growth Group facilitators while attending AA and Al Anon. Esther worked at several business over the years, including H&R Block, Granite Falls Bank, and Geske Home Improvement.

She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow. Esther was active with her quilting and embroidery clubs in Minnesota and Texas; Doug referred to her hobby as her ‘therapy’. Esther was an avid reader and she enjoyed traveling with Douglas until their mobility made traveling difficult. 5 years ago, they sold the property in Minnesota and relocated to Harlingen, TX.

Esther survived by their 3 children: Brenda Gates of Maynard, MN, Kirby Schmidt of Renville, MN and Douglas Jr. (Darla) Schmidt of Montevideo, MN, 9 grandchildren: Christopher, Elizabeth (Michael), Garrett, Dustin, Crystal, Nathan, Carrie, Chelsea and Jasen; one great grandchild Bexley; siblings: Ina Geske, Richard (Karen) Geske, Wayne Geske, Naomi (Bob) Polzin, Pat (Janice) Geske, Ronnie (Claire) Geske, Cynthia (Bob) Steinbeisser, Glenn Geske, Nelia Gary, her sisters-in-law Julie (Kerry) Steffen, Linda Bestland, Jetta Schmidt and many nieces and nephews.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Schmidt, parents Marvin and Irene Geske, brothers Lyle and Dale Geske, her parents-in-law Arthur and Sara Schmidt, and Doug’s siblings: Beverly Gabbert, Orville, Richard, and David Schmidt and brother-in-law Denny Gary.

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