Esther Lorraine Gaskill

Esther Lorraine Swanson the daughter of August and Esther (Larson) Swanson was born January 24, 1925, near Creston, IA. She attended Lincoln #9 School and attended Creston High School. On April 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Gaskill. She became a full-time mother to their seven children. In 1965, she became assistant cook at the Meriden School. In 1970 she moved with her husband Kenneth to Bayard, IA, where she worked at Bayard Care Center and became a CNA. She worked in several nursing homes and retired from Rowley Memorial Home in 1982. Esther was active in Ascension Lutheran Church at Coon Rapids, IA and served as secretary of the church council. She moved back to Cherokee, IA in 1990, and became a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. In her free time Esther enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On July 21, 2010, Esther passed away at the Holstein Good Samaritan Center at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Gaskill, in 1996; her parents, August and Esther Swanson; granddaughter, Heather Hantsbarger; grandson, Dale Gaskill; one brother, Walton Swanson; two sons-in-law, Lloyd Arhart and Elvin Schimmer; and one sister, Eleanor Anderson. She is survived by her three sons: Kenneth Gaskill of Ida Grove, IA, Russell (Karen) Gaskill of Alta, IA, and Donald (Joan) Gaskill of Meriden, IA; four daughters, Esther (Ronald) Snyder of Indianola, IA, Marilyn Arhart of Columbia Falls, MT, Janet Schimmer of Galva, IA, and Pastor Melba (Darwin) Smith of Palmer, KS; one brother, Burland Swanson of Traer, IA; sister, Marie Stevens of Loveland, CO; sister-in-law Donna Swanson of Creston, IA; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; several nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

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