Esther M. Oliver's Obituary
Esther Marie Oliver
On Sunday, April 3, 2016, just before sunrise, Esther Marie Oliver was called to the Kingdom of God. A rosy glow spread across the sky and dawn broke through as if to proclaim the beauty of her life and the rightness of her heavenly ascent. And her much loved Mt. Rainier loomed visible and bright in all its glory.
Born and raised in Aitkin, MN, she was originally named Astrid Maria by her loving Norwegian parents, Nellie Andrea and Martin Lars Brown. They later Americanized her name to Esther Marie as they were so proud to be Americans. This sense of patriotism became one of the hallmarks of Esther's life.
As a child and through her life, Esther embraced life fully, always finding great joy and beauty in the world around her and seeing the goodness in everyone. She was fun loving with a good sense of humor. She developed a great love for poetry and frequently recited her favorites to her girls. Religion was deep in her heritage and she always maintained a true and abiding faith. These characteristics were the foundation for her life and the priceless legacy to her family.
Esther married her childhood sweetheart and soul-mate Glenn Oliver on February 7, 1941 at the Congregational Church Parsonage in Brainerd, MN. They moved to Tacoma when Glenn was sent to Fort Lewis for training. Esther, a natural nurturer, began to work in the home of a local prominent family caring for their two sons.
Glenn adored Esther and knew they would always be together. Their true love sustained them both through World War II - four harsh years when Glenn was a POW, surviving the Bataan Death March, the sinking of the Arisan Maru and several death camps. In his absence Esther eventually moved back to MN to work in Minneapolis. She attended Medical Technician School at the College of Commerce there and afterwards worked as a laboratory technician for Dr. Larson. While in college she helped organize and became a charter member of Kappa Tau Iota, a nationally chartered sorority for medical secretaries, at that time noted as the only sorority of its kind in the United States.
When she received word from Glenn on a form card that he was in prison camp, she left her job and returned home to her parents in Aitkin. After the war she was reunited with him when he returned home on a hospital ship to Madigan General Hospital in Tacoma where he was hospitalized 9 months with a convalescent 90 day furlough.
They settled in Tacoma in the heart of "God's Country", to raise their two daughters Cynthia and Elizabeth. Together they shared 72 years richly filled with family traditions and activities. They enjoyed outings to the Pacific Ocean for clam digging, camping and boating at Lake Chelan and the Puget Sound, trips up to Paradise on Mt Rainier, as well as family trips yearly to their beloved Minnesota to visit with loved ones, being sure to take in all the sights along the way.
Esther loved gardening, especially her roses and calla lilies. Her second favorite book after the Bible was a cookbook! True to her Norwegian roots she loved creating meals and delicious desserts for her family and hosted many extended family gatherings. She was a devoted mother and kept very busy taking her two girls for lessons in swimming, ice-skating, skiing, piano, and art as well as activities in drama, Bluebirds, Campfire, and Rainbow Girls. She was very active in the school as well, serving as Room Mother every year, and chaperoning field trips.
In PTA she held many chairmanships and served several years as Secretary and Treasurer and as President in 60-61 and 62-63. She canvassed for the School Millage and Mother's March of Dimes, petitioned to "Save Sunday for Families", and was proud to always vote. Her many contributions were recognized by being awarded the PTA Lifetime Membership Pin, the Golden Acorn.
A devoted Christian, Esther was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she maintained regular attendance for her two girls through their Confirmation in High School and modeled her faith daily, serving in several church circles and singing in the choir. She did eventually leave the choir as she didn't want her dear Glenn to sit alone in church.
Esther became a member of the Eastern Star, Cedar Assembly and Daughters of Norway, Embla Lodge. She supported Glenn in becoming an associate member in the National Society for the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, and Sons of the American Revolution. She journeyed with him to many gatherings for the Survivors of the Bataan Death March and the sinking of the Arison Maru prison ship.
Esther was a gifted pianist who could play complex arrangements by ear. She loved to improvise and made extensive use of the entire keyboard. Her sister Charlotte tells how she amazed them when after enjoying a new musical show together, she came home, sat down at the piano, and was able to replicate the entire theme song! In later years when she played at Madrona Park, staff and residents would gather to listen and sing along.
Esther treasured her life experience and enjoyed photography as a means to capture the memories and to document her family and their special times together.
Her talents, her contributions, her joyful spirit, and mostly, her love, will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Esther leaves behind her two loving daughters Cynthia Oliver-Moffett and Elizabeth (Richard) Cook who feel extremely blessed to have been mothered by such a beautiful, strong, intelligent, loving and spiritual woman. She is also survived by six devoted grandchildren David (Monica) Moffett, Sean Moffett, Margaux (Cameron) Isaman, Ryan Wakatsuki, Michael (Michele) Pedee and Lisa (Ben) Norton, her four precious great grandsons Lucas Moffett, Colin Moffett, Carson Isaman, and Archer Isaman, her two beloved sisters Charlotte Mullen and Louise Potocki, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Esther is predeceased by and now reunited with her beloved husband Glenn Oliver, her parents, her sisters Margaret Brown and Severna Hanson, and her brothers Lester Brown and Arthur Brown.
A memorial service will be held 12:00 PM, Fri. April 8, 2016 in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park; 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, 98499. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home 253-584-0252
Please sign online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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