Esther Viola (Retzer) Erlenbusch

Ashley, ND-Funeral Service for Esther Viola (Retzer) Erlenbusch, 99, of Ashley will be 1:00 pm Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashley. Deacon Deb Cantrell will officiate.
Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.
Esther died March 7, 2021 at Ashley Medical Center.
Esther Viola was born December 27, 1921 to Christian J. and Fredricka (Hoffmann) Retzer Jr. on the family farm southwest of Ashley.
She was united in marriage to Oscar Erlenbusch on November 5, 1947 in Ashley. Esther was a trailblazer becoming a working woman early in her life and continuing for most of her life. She worked at the Ashley Creamery as secretary/bookkeeper from 1943-1975. An untold number of producers stopped by her office to pick up their milk and egg checks with her unique signature. After the creamery closed, she became a distributor for Cass Clay Dairy Products. Later, she worked at Blumhardt Manufacturing in accounts payable. After retirement age, she began working as a meal assistant at the Ashley Nursing Home.
Esther enjoyed socializing. She was active in Homemakers Club and league bowling for many years. She loved playing cards and attended and hosted a weekly card club. Esther was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Grateful for having shared Esther's life are her daughter, Barb Henry of Ashley; nieces and nephews, Diana (Warren) LaVoi of Detroit Lakes, MN, Patty Maier, and Bonnie Maier, both of Bismarck, Linda Retzer of Ashley, Ken (Marcia) Retzer of Fargo, Linda (Tom) Fiechtl of Texas, Glenn Retzer of Ashley, Wayne (Sheri) Retzer of Williston, ND, Margaret Oberlander of Bismarck, Steve (Penny) Retzer of Fergus Falls, MN, and Patty Miller of California.
Esther is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Oscar (3-13-1986), grandson, J.R. Marsh, three infant sisters, two sisters, Mary (Charlie) Meyer and Anna (Otto) Maier, two brothers, Julius (Edwina) Retzer and Walter (Hilda) Retzer and in-laws, Ted (Hilda) Erlenbusch and Olga (Pat) Chase.
Casketbearers will be Charles Dockter, Denny Hoffman, Glenn Retzer, Wayne Retzer, Steve Retzer and Clarence Gilstad.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ashley has been entrusted with arrangements.

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