She was born on May 9th, 1926, in Schneidemühl, Germany. She trained to be a salesperson in a large department store in her youth, and was later recruited to make grenades for the Work Service Force at the age of 18.
After much tribulation during the War, Esther met her husband of 72 years, Erich M. Vergin, in a resettlement camp in Burg. Their strong desire was to emigrate to America to raise their family. After spending a year in a refugee camp in West Berlin, they arrived in the United States in February 1962.
Esther was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served many years in the Relief Society in the German Speaking Ward. She served diligently in her Ward as well as serving German food in the same apron for funerals, Christmas parties and other events until she was 90 years old. Her strength and faith were un-wavering and the gospel brought her true happiness. She and her husband fulfilled a mission in Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany in 1995 where she loved cooking for the young, hungry missionaries who loved to call her Mutti (Mom). Her cooking was delectable.
Oma was a hard worker with strong work ethics. Everything she did was for her family. She had a wonderful sense of humor as well as a sense of style. Esther had a love for catalog clothes shopping and never failed to look her best. Her jokes and positivity will continue to live on in our family and bring warmth to our hearts and smiles to our faces.
Esther is survived by her husband, Erich M. Vergin, her two sisters, Doris Wolf and Ilse Mueller, her children Jerry (Lillian) Vergin and Cornelia Barth, and her grandchildren, Tessa, Monique, Melissa and Chris. She is preceded in death by her sisters Ellie and Hannchen, her son Andreas, and her parents Anna and Richard Riewe.
Family and friends, please join us for a viewing at Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 Highland Drive on Saturday, March 27 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Graveside services will be held for immediate family on Sunday, March 28 at 1:00 pm.
