Esther Wenell, age 93, of Albert City, Iowa, died on Monday, October 20, 2014, at the Pleasant View Home in Albert City.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert City. Burial will follow in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. Visitation with the family present will take place Friday, October 31, 2014 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert City. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Esther Wilhelmina Christoffers, the daughter of Erik and Tillie (Olson) Christoffers was born in Pocahontas, Iowa, on March 29, 1921. She lived her youth in rural Pocahontas and graduated from the Pocahontas High School. Esther continued her education and received her teaching certificate from the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Upon her graduation, she taught school at the Grant Township #5 country school.

On March 22, 1947, Esther was united in marriage to Paul Wenell at the Pomeroy Covenant Church in rural Pomeroy, Iowa, and this union was blessed with five children: John, Allan, Susan, Janice, and Lynn. Paul and Esther were engaged in farming east of Albert City for most of their married lifetime. In 1989, they retired and moved into Albert City. Paul died on October 14, 2001. Esther continued to reside in their home until moving to the Countryside Living in 2007. Following a stroke, Esther became a resident of the Pleasant View Home in 2008.

Esther was a faithful member of the Albert City Evangelical Covenant Church where she participated in the ladies organizations and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She had been a 4-H leader and been a member of the Neighborhood Coffee Club. Esther and Paul enjoyed traveling and all who knew her will remember her for her baking expertise, especially her rye bread. The joy of Esther’s life was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in sharing in their lives.

Esther’s life will always be loved and cherished by her family which include her children: John (Jean) Wenell of Albert City, Iowa; Allan (Daunajean) Wenell of Laurens, Iowa; Susan (Steve) Trombetta of Grass Valley, California; Janice (Gary) Lee of Chico, California; Lynn (Jerolyn) Wenell of Albert City, Iowa; grandchildren: Kory (Shelsea) Wenell, Kyle (Katie) Wenell, David Wenell, Brian (Angie) Wenell, April (Wilder) Freed, Amy (Caleb) Bingham, Laura Trombetta, Alayna Trombetta, Andrew (Erika) Lee, Dana Lee, Lewis Wenell, Reuben Wenell, and Brice Wenell, 16 great grandchildren, other extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; one brother: Kenneth Christoffers; and one sister: Violet Lewis.