Esther was baptized as an infant at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deanville on April 7 1918. She was confirmed on May 3 1931 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Her confirmation verse was Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (NIV)
In her early years, Esther picked cotton and cooked for her family on their farm in the Deanville area. She attended school in Caldwell, Texas and loved playing volleyball at school as a teenager. Esther completed 10th grade. She was not able to finish high school because there was no school bus service from Deanville to Caldwell at the time.
On February 13, 1941 Esther married John R. Heine at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deanville. John served in the U.S. Army Air Force and the Air Force. Esther (and children) moved with John when possible to Guam, Utah, Germany, San Antonio, Burkburnett and Amarillo, Texas.
Esther, John and family moved to Austin Texas in 1958. Esther worked 15 years in food service with the Austin Independent School District. The Heines were members of Trinity Lutheran Church from 1958 to 1981. Since 1981, Esther was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. She helped her husband John (when they were able) mow and tend the landscape at Hope. Esther was a member of the Dorcas Circle and she also helped with other church activities. She played many games of dominos with her friends at Hope. Esther loved attending services at Hope Lutheran Church and visiting with all the caring members of her church family. When Esther could no longer attend church, she truly missed weekly worship and fellowship with her friends.
One of Esther’s favorite pastimes was gardening and working in the yard at her home. Her neatly kept yard always had flowers and plants to enjoy. Esther also loved cooking and was a wonderful cook. She was a seamstress, making many of her own clothes and her children’s clothing. Esther taught her four children how to wash clothes and dishes, and how to cook and sew. She was (as a close friend once said) a “real” mom. Esther made time for all of her children and grandchildren. She would read books to them, play games with them and fix delicious meals and treats.
Esther was always a good listener and was said by many acquaintances to be a pleasure to talk with. She had a positive attitude and a calmness to her as she took everything in stride. However, if the situation warranted, Esther could and would stand her ground. Although Esther never assumed she knew the answer to everything, she had simple but prudent words to share…….”It’ll all come out in the wash” and “Could be worse”.
Esther moved from her beloved home of nearly 55 years in the Rosedale neighborhood of Austin, Texas to Taylor, Texas in February 2014. She resided at the SPJST Assisted Living facility and then transferred to the SPJST Skilled Nursing and Rehab facility. Esther was always out and about in the common areas with the other residents. She played 42 when she could find a game and she had a smile for everyone.
Esther passed from this world on April 19 2018 at the age of 100 years, 1 month and 18 days. She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 53 years; her parents; sisters Velma Skopek and Mary Dearen; brothers Benny and Otto Luedke; sisters-in-law Louine Brinkman, Mary Luedke, Gladys Luedke, Celesta Hatcher, Vivian Berlin, Geraldine Wiederhold and Mavis Suehs; brothers-in-law, August Skopek, Henry Dearen and Wilbert Heine.
Esther’s passing is mourned by her children, Virgil Heine and wife Linda, William Heine and wife Pam, Elizabeth Francis and husband Don, Patricia Daniell and husband Barry; grandchildren, William Heine Jr. and wife Dana, Deborah Dobson and husband Bryan, Lara Heine, Lyssa Heine, Chris Daniell, Seleta Carter and husband Johnny, Stephen Heine, Colleen Golla and husband Matthew, Candace Wallner and husband Geoff, Randi Daniell Alcozer, Suzanne Camos and husband Zach; great-grandchildren, Rachel, Joanie, Brandon, Josie, MaKenna, Michaela, Aiden, Valerie, John, Mark, Otis and Ava; sister-in-law, Aliene Barrier, brother-in-law Otto Wiederhold, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers will be Esther’s grandchildren and their spouses.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Hope Lutheran Church, 6414 North Hampton Drive, Austin Texas 78723.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers @ SPJST Skilled Nursing and Rehab and SPJST Assisted Living in Taylor for their loving care and support.
