Obituary of Esther Kneedler

Esther Viola Christenson was born April 23, 1905 on the Christenson homestead approximately ten miles north of Kanorado, Kansas in Sherman County. She was the fourth child born to John and Kristina Christenson. Esther and her four brothers attended New Harmony school. It was a one room school with all grades, from one through eighth. Some of their favorite games to play were fox and geese, drop the handkerchief and ball. Most of the teachers were women. Some lived with families in the area, except Anna Bell Van Wrinkle. She was married and lived in the area. She drove a horse and buggy to school. Several rode horses or walked to school. There was a farm for the horses during the day. Esther was a very good student. After the eighth grade, she helped on the farm until 1923, when she married Falace Kneedler on February 4 in Burlington, Colorado. Her brother Ed and his wife Alma Christenson were witnesses. They moved to the Clark homestead north of Kanorado, and about one year later they moved south about one mile to a new place that Mr. Falkner built. They had three children; Paul, Ilene and Dean. The one bedroom house got a little crowded, so in January of 1936, they moved to the Weeks place. There they farmed raising wheat and registered Hereford Cattle. In September of 1947, they purchased their own place. It was the Ralph Clark Homestead which they lived in until 2000. They sold the farm and Esther and her son Dean moved to Burlington at the age of 96 years young. Esther always had a big garden and canned lots of meats, vegetables, fruits and whatever was available. She always crocheted afghans, doilies, baby blankets, that was her way of relaxing. She was still crocheting baby blankets at the age of 97 years old. Esther was one of the best cooks. Everyone always enjoyed her biscuits and gravy, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, her homemade ice cream and angel food cake. She fell in 2005 and broke her hip, and spent the next year with Ilene in Colorado Springs, and she celebrated her 100th birthday while she was there. She came back to Burlington in 2006 to her new home at 620 Donelan Street and spent her remaining days sitting on the big front porch enjoying the sun. She was involved with Happy Hours Home Demonstration Club, Plainview 4-H club and all the community projects that came along. Esther passed away on February 4, 2009, her 86th wedding anniversary. She had lots to celebrated that day, being home and back with her loved ones. Esther was preceded in death by her parents her husband Falace and one son Paul. She is survived by her children Ilene and Dean, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Burlington with Pastor John Wrench officiating. Burial followed in the Beaver Valley Cemetery, northeast of Burlington. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the Church. Memorials may be made in Esther’s name to the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital and may be left at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington.