----Source: Wednesday, June 9, 2004 edition of the Clark County Press

Esther M. Collins

Esther M. Collins, age 85, of Loyal, died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield on Thursday, June 3.

Esther Marie Camden was born on Jan. 17, 1919 in Bunker, Missouri, the daughter of Elmer and Bessie (Medley) Camden. Esther's father died when she was 5 years old, and her mother then moved the family to Choteau, Montana, where she was raised and educated. After completing her education, Esther did, domestic work for neighboring families. On Oct. 9, 1937, Esther was united in marriage to Sidney A. Collins in Great Falls, Montana. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to the Greenwood area, where they worked at Keller's Silverdome Ballroom Neillsville and on Keller's farm in Greenwood. They moved to Loyal in 1947 where Esther was a homemaker. Her husband, Sidney, died on Jan. 10, 1989. She continued to reside in Loyal until entering the Marshfield Living Center in November of 2003. Esther had many interests, but especially enjoyed spending time with her family, helping others, crocheting, sewing, reading, cooking, baking, bingo and all-star wrestling. She was a member of Loyal United Methodist Church and Clark County Homemakers.

She will be sadly missed by her three daughters, Helen (Randy) Cooper, of Schofield; Mary (Larry) Gessert, of Marshfield; Donna Collins (special friend Ron Walter), of Greenwood; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great- granddaughter; two sisters, Rose Truchot and Elma Camden, both of Choteau, Montana and one brother, William Brewer, of Choteau, Montana.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Sidney; two sons; Thomas on Sept. 11, 1998 and Gene in infancy; one great- grandson, Kyle Gessert; and one brother Earl Camden.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 7 at the Loyal United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Loyal Cemetery. Pallbearers were Randy Gessert, Roger Gessert, Mark Gessert, Jason Gessert, Duane Gessert and Bob Luepke.