Esther Holte Martindale's Obituary
Esther Holte Martindale
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Born in the backwoods of Minnesota on October 18, 1917, Esther played as a child on the banks of the Red River, worked her chores on the family farm while outfoxing ten brothers, and found her way past snowdrifts to the schoolhouse. To her Norwegian parents Nels & Caroline Holte, she was -Å"Oktober Rose,- the October Rose. She died December 22nd at the age of ninety-one years.
Esther came out west and worked during -Å"the war- as a ham skinner at Hygrade Packing Plant. In later years she enjoyed work in food service and catering at the University of Puget Sound. She married her husband of sixty years Lloyd Martindale in 1945 at Bethel Church in Tacoma, residing since at the family home. She is survived by her daughter Karen Martindale of Tacoma, sons Donald Martindale and Lloyd Martindale, Jr. (Sandra) of Bellingham, granddaughters Lori Martindale Pritchard (Walt) and Lisa Kovalenko (Sergey) of Bellingham, and great grandsons Joshua, Jacob, and Benjamin. Two brothers survive her, John and Daniel Holte of Duluth. Mrs. Martindale was of Christian faith.
Esther was vigorous until October of this year. She enjoyed tending her yard, painting her home, many long walks, and baking of bread in her kitchen. She was the joy of her family in gatherings together. Esther possessed a fundamental optimistic goodness, a capacity in clarity of focus, penetration to truth, and to her family known soft dimension of spirit, visions in dynamic. Her children know and hold her; as most dearly beloved, revere in her fierce spirit, and watch the night sky of heart, fade now darker.
A private family service will be held in Bellingham, Washington. The children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, together share thoughts and memories of their Mother Esther, and escort her to Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington, for interment with her beloved husband. You may share thoughts and memories of Esther Holte Martindale at www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
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