Esther Divine

She was born in Milwaukee on April 17, 1925 and was baptized on May 3, 1925 and confirmed on April 2, 1939 at St. Lucas Lutheran Church. She was a graduate of Milwaukee Lutheran High School, class of 1943 On May 18, 1946 Esther was united in marriage to Gene Divine at Garden Homes Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

Esther spent most of her life in Sheboygan as a homemaker, but as an empty nester, she was a secretary at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Sheboygan for thirteen years.

She was certified by the University of Wisconsin-Stout, as a peer counselor. An accomplished seamstress, for several years she was a 4-H project leader in baking and cooking.

Esther was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as past president and secretary of the Trinity Lutheran Women’s Mission League as well as an LWML zone officer and a past member of the Board of Education.

For a number of years she taught Sunday School at St. Mark Lutheran Church and served on the church council. She also was a long time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran School Mother’s Club.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Bonnie (William) McCance, Whitinsville, MA,, Amber Hahn, Fond du Lac, WI; two sons, Mark (Kathleen) Divine, Moab, UT and Jay (Kathryn) Divine, Sun Prairie, WI; ten grandchildren, Jason (Deeanne) and Britta (Ian) Brecheen, Tex (Becca) Divine, Noah (Julie) Divine, Misty (David) Rauscher, Wendy (Toby) Schweitzer, April Divine, Aubrie (Nathan) Divine-Scott, Lucas (Andrea) Divine and Scott (Kathy) Divine; thirteen great-grandchildren, Isaac, Esther and Seth Maas, Quinn and Bristol Divine, Avary, Evelyn, and Piper Divine, Lilia, Emery and Brickson Rauscher, Sierra and Milo Divine-Scott; one sister, Lorraine (Donald) Peterson, Mt. Horeb, WI. She is further survived by sixteen nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Wanda Zerbe; her husband, Gene; six sisters, Elsie Vogt, Edith Reizner, Alma Smukalla, Emma Netz, Lillian Manke, and Martha Zerbe who died in infancy.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 2, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. Timothy J. Mech, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Entombment will follow at Garden Terrace Mausoleum. A time of visitation and support will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name for Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheboygan Lutheran High School, and DiscipleMakers.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:28-30 NIV