Esther Fern Knipstein

Born on July 12th, 1935, Esther was the only child of Charles Roland and Georgia "Fern" (Snyder) Waters. She grew up on her father’s farm near Fort Wayne, Indiana and as a child, cared for and collected the eggs of approximately 100 chickens. She even had a pet chicken she named Henry. At the young age of 14, she overcame polio.

She met Fred R. Knipstein in Fort Wayne and they married on Aug 2nd, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church. They loved watching the local hockey team, the Fort Wayne Komets, at the Coliseum, sparking a life-long enjoyment of hockey.

She was immediately welcomed into Fred’s large family and soon became as close as sisters with her two sisters-in-law Holly (Paul) Knipstein and Daisy (Ed) Knipstein. They often spent summer vacations together at Lake James, Lake George or Tri-Lakes, water-skiing, swimming, and playing cards. She loved laughing with her sisters-in-law until they all cried. Esther and Daisy got into all kinds of silly antics, earning the affectionate nicknames Lucy and Ethel. They, together with Twinkle Toes (Fred) and Mr. Ed, loved to meet halfway between Lakewood and Fort Wayne in Tulsa, OK and later expanded to Myrtle Beach, SC. The whole crew met up in Lakewood to celebrate Paul and Holly’s 45th wedding anniversary, where they shared many, many laughs and fond memories. She had a wonderful and clever sense of humor that endeared her to all who knew her and which stayed with her throughout her entire life.

In her early years, Esther worked as an office assistant and dispatcher for the O-I-M Transit Corporation, a trucking company in Fort Wayne. Fred and Esther moved from Fort Wayne to Lakewood, Colorado in 1974, where they, along with daughter Vicki, became fans of the Denver Broncos football team through thick and thin. Esther also worked at Joslins, and then Dillard’s, in Lakewood and Englewood.

In all she did, Esther’s life was guided by her strong faith in Christ and she was a life-long Christian. She made sure she instilled a strong faith in her daughters, as well. She leaves a legacy of faith, strength, grace, love and laughter. Esther was a devoted mother, adored grandmother and beloved GG (great-grandmother).

The family would like to thank all the amazing staff at Villa Manor for the excellent medical care and the support they gave to Mom and us during the two months she was there. They treated us all with dignity and respect We would also like to thank Lutheran Hospice for all their help and support as well.

She is survived by her four daughters, Kathi (Jim) Brockway of Windsor, Linda (Steve) Anderson of Littleton, Vicki Graham of Morrison and Sandy Sunderland of Lakewood; six grandchildren, Sara (Landon) Peterson, Adam Graham, Lindsey (Austin) Roup, Stephanie (Michael) Kelly, and Matt and Jason Brockway; as well as her four great-grandsons, Brayden and Jackson Roup; and Henry and Hudson Peterson. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Fred, on Oct. 7th, 2002, having been able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary two months prior.

There will be visitation at Olinger’s Cemetery in the Ponderosa Room on Monday, Sept. 25th from 5:00-8:00pm. There will also be visitation from 9:30-10:30am, on Sept. 26th before the church service begins. The funeral service follows from 10:30-11:30am at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, located at 13119 W. 20th Ave, Golden, CO 80401. A receiving line will follow the church service. There will be a police escort for those attending the reception from St. Luke’s to Olinger’s Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. For family members who wish to attend the graveside service, please join the line at staging point C, marked by a blue sign on a yellow post around the first corner on the right past the round-about. We invite all others to the reception at the Heritage Hall at Olinger’s, where light fare and soft beverages will be served. Family will join the reception after the graveside service, about 15 minutes later.