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Esther Catherine Schumann obituary, 6/10/06


Esther Catherine Schumann, age 98 of Cokato, died Saturday, June 10, 2006 at the Cokato Manor.
She was born Aug. 18, 1907 in Erwin, S.D. to Andrew and Olga (Lagerstedt) Bergstrom.
After attending high school in Beresford, S.D., Esther studied four years at Yankton College and Conservatory of Music, during which time she won honors in state piano competition. she received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College in 1929, and later studied at seven other colleges and universities, including the University of Minnesota.
Active in musical circles, Esther served as organist and pianist for many years for church, Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, and other organizations in Flandreau, S.D., and Cokato.
Esther taught English and music in South Dakota and Minnesota for a number of years, and also served on the staff of Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.
She married William A. Marble July 8, 1930, and they had three children: William, Jon, and Alice. The family made their home in Flandreau, S.D. William preceded Esther in death in 1956.
Esther married John Schumann Aug. 17, 1968, and subsequently moved to Cokato.
Esther taught piano in Cokato from 1970 until the early 1990s, and was a charter member of the Lake Area Piano Teachers Forum.
The Schumanns moved to Edgewood Gables in 1997. Esther became a resident of Cokato Manor in 1998.
Esther is survived by her husband, John of Cokato; sister Ruth Bergstrom of Minneapolis; daughter Alice Marble of Oslo, Norway; son Jon E. Marble and wife Marlene Marble of Minneapolis; stepdaughters Marianne Lind of Minneapolis; Virginia Peterson and husband Rev. Carmen Peterson of Woodville, Wis.; five grandchildren, Tom, Bill Beth, David, and Larry; five step grandchildren, Betsy, Dan, Karen, David, and Cathy; 13 great-grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Judge William A. Marble; son Dr. William A. Marble; a sister; and three brothers.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, June 14 at 1 p.m. at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Steve Thorson officiated. Tonia Thorson was the vocal soloist, and Karen Anderson, the organist. Ann Kivisto Benda played “The Waltz in C Minor” by Chopin; and rememberances were by the Rev. Carmen Peterson and Esther’s niece, Dr. Barbara Knudson.
Interment was at Flandreau, S.D. Friday, June 16 at 11 a.m.
The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato handled the arrangements.

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