Obituaries

 

Esther M. Walter

Died September 8, 2014

SUTTONS BAY – Esther Margaret Walter, 81, of Suttons Bay, passed away on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 at her home.

  Esther was born on June 8, 1933, in Omena, the daughter of Tillman and Regina (Kalchik) Lemaster.  On Oct. 23, 1954 at St. Michael’s Church in Suttons Bay, she married Robert L. Walter, who survives.
  Mom worked hard all her life.  Esther worked at Munson Hospital in the 1950’s.  She ran Walter Motel in Suttons Bay in 1960’s and 1970’s.  Robert and Esther then moved to the Walter Family Farm in the early 1970’s and raised three children and farmed cherries until retirement.
  Mom’s passions were her husband, children and grandchildren.  She was an exquisite quilter whose meticulous embroidery work and quilting were well known.  Esther embroidered many quilt tops and donated them to St. Mary’s Quilters as well as all the quilts she made or quilted with the St. Michael’s Quilters.  Her yard was full of flowers and the wild birds she loved to watch, especially hummingbirds.
  In addition to her husband of 59 years, Esther is survived by her children, Doris Walter and Matthew (Shelly) Walter; grandchildren, Luke Walter, Rob Walter; siblings, Bertha Oscar, Rose (Greg) Badgley, Daniel (Jean) Lemaster, John Lemaster, Jim (Ruth) Lemaster; and sister-in-law, Sue Lemaster.
  Esther was preceded in death by her children, Mark and Dorothy; siblings, Ethel (Sherwood) Probst, Tom Lemaster, Irene (Marty) Woehl, Betty Lemaster, Larry Lemaster; brother-in-law, Andy Oscar; and sister-in-law, Jean Lemaster.
  A gathering will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19 at St. Michael’s Church of Suttons Bay.  Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery.  Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant.
  Memorials may be directed to St. Michael’s Church, PO Box 9, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.
  Please share thoughts and memories with Esther’s family online at www.martinson.info
  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.