Esther Madeline Gluntz

She was raised in Chicago, graduated from Providence Catholic High School, and attended business college. Esther loved to ice skate and spent much of her free time skating on Lake Michigan.

During World War II she met the love of her life, our father, Elmer Gluntz. They were married on April 17,1945. During their 58 years together they raised six children, Sharon, Donald, Gary, Barbara, Susan, and Lois.

Elmer and Esther moved from Florissant MO, where they lived after marrying, to California. They first lived in Stockton CA, later moving to Visalia, Modesto, Soquel, and Fresno.

There were many wonderful family trips with their children back to visit relatives in St Louis, MO and Chicago, IL. They also travelled with Esther’s brother Joe and wife Carole on several trips to Hawaii and Europe. They were active in their church and belonged to several different couples’ groups. In later years they spent time sailing on Lake Huntington and then fished and relaxed on their pontoon boat at Shaver Lake. Family and friends joined them on these boat excursions.

Esther worked in different offices positions before marriage and then took years off to raise her family. She returned to work after her youngest were in school and worked as a Library Tech in local Junior High and High Schools. She loved her library work because she loved to read. Esther was also an excellent seamstress.

During their marriage, Elmer and Esther lived in many different homes, and built their most unique, a dome house, in Soquel.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband Elmer Gluntz, son Donald Gluntz, daughter Lois Williams, and son-in-law, James Smart.

After Elmer passed away in 2003, Esther continued her hobbies of reading, crosswords, Bible Studies, and walking her little dogs.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Smart, son, Gary Gluntz and his wife, Debbie, daughter, Barbara Mills, and husband, Dennis Mills, and daughter, Susan Stephan, and her husband, Mark.

She leaves many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandchildren, Paul Gluntz and wife Doreen, Jon Gluntz, and his wife Belinda, Jacqueline and Jeannette Gluntz, Kathryn Gluntz and great grandchildren Braydon Bair and Madeline Bair; Christina Wheeler and husband Daniel, Nicole Kennedy and her husband, Marty , Mark Stephen and wife Heather and great grandchildren Audrey, Jonathan, Christopher, and William. Conner Stephen, Kirk Smart and wife Rosario, Kevin Smart and wife Renee, great grandchildren Brandon Smart and wife Leslie, and son Adam; Brittany Wilbur and husband Blake and children Juliet and Axel.

Esther passed away peacefully on Monday February 21, 2022. Her family was able to be with her during her last days.

There will be a private graveside service. Please make any remembrance to your favorite charity or organization.