Esther Morse

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 4, 2010 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Seneca with Fr. Joji Itukulapati officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. A spiritual wake service was held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the church in Seneca with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Esther Matilda Schaefer was born February 12, 1923 in Hoven, SD to Mike and Annie (Karst) Schaefer. She attended rural country school. Esther went on to attend teachers college. Upon graduation she taught country school near Hoven and also at Lincoln School near Seneca.

On November 20, 1946, Esther married Robert Morse. The couple farmed the Morse Family Farm, near Seneca.

In Esther’s spare time she loved to garden, do crafts, sew, visit friends and family and raise her chickens. She was a very good cook although she did not much like to do so. In later years she and Bob enjoyed the time they were able to winter in Texas.

Esther was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Seneca where she has been active in many things including teaching catechism.

Esther is survived by her husband Robert of Seneca; her daughters: Marge (John) Miller, Karen Helke, and Nadine (Rodney) Peters all of Pierre and Janet (Wayne) Vander Vorste of Ft. Pierre; five grandchildren: Joel (Jessica) Filler, Rachel (Eric) Bauer, Adrienne Miller (Jeff Taylor), Erica (Tim) Noteboom and Erin Miller; four great grandchildren: Jaden Bryant Filler, Maple Jeann Taylor, Treighton Morse Noteboom and Zane Michael Noteboom; two sisters: Dorothy Klocker and Merici Rader both of Hoven and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: one in infancy and Wilbert and Alfred.

Memorials may be directed to the Pierre Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Center, 200 E. Dakota St., Pierre, SD 57501.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton, SD has been entrusted with Esther’s arrangements.