Esther Marie Hurd (Casler)

HURD, Esther Marie (Casler), born March 20, 1923, in Forestville, NY, to Guy M. Casler and Ethel (Hyldahl) Casler, the third of five children. Sister Helengrace Clark and brothers, Guy Jr. and Gerald, predeceased her.

Surviving sister is Elaine Hooge of San Antonio, TX. She was a 1939 graduate of Randolph Central High School, NY. She married Oliver Hurd in 1942 and had four children who survive her: Donnette (Buzz) Kugel and the late Phil Pratt of Jenison; Ted Hurd of Pinellas Park, FL; Joellyn Garn and Dennis Garn of Jackson, MI; and Jonathan (Theresa) Hurd of Pt. St. Lucie, FL. Esther loved her children and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Trisha and Steve Reeder (Jenna, Brynn), Tanya and Dave VanDam (Caleb, Justin), Tami and Chad Livingston (Trevor), Lisa and Rich Fairbanks (Kellie, Craig), Nicole and Jason Khon (Owen, Chloe, Olivia), Garron and Melissa Garn (Lily), Keri and Michael Wittie, Christopher Hurd (Mackenzie), Sean and Tabitha Hurd (twins Hannah and Harper), Alaina Holstege, Erin and Robbie Collins (Kenzie, Gabriella, Levi), Audra and Jim Hunter, Evan Kugel; and adopted great-granddaughter, Nina Glass, and her mom, Colleen.

Esther was a unique and very talented woman; Charter Member of the Clearwater-Largo (FLA) Free Methodist Church; great cook, especially at Christmastime with gingerbread boys "for the kids"; seamstress, artist, scrap-booker before scrapbooking was popular, and very active children's church worker. Her sense of humor was a trademark "wacky" gene passed down to the family. She died one day after her 92nd birthday.

As she wished, "no fuss-no bother," cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in May. Memorial contributions may be sent to Free Methodist World Missions, 770 N. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN, 46214, or a charity of one's choice.