Esther Elizabeth Christofferson

ESTHER CHRISTOFFERSON NICHOLS, Iowa #45;- Esther Elizabeth Christofferson, 96, of rural Nichols, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at Mercy Hospice Care in Iowa City following a short illness. A graveside service will be held on 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at the Nichols Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011 at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty. Memorial contributions may be made in Esther's name to Iowa City Hospice or to Mercy Hospice Care in Iowa City. Esther's family wishes to acknowledge the care and compassion that was given to our mother and grandmother during her last weeks as well as the friendship and comfort provided to us by the staffs of Iowa City Hospice and Mercy Hospice Care; for that support, we will be forever grateful. Esther was born on April 5, 1915, in rural Johnson County, the daughter of Anton and Edith Johnson Ogren. She married LeRoy Christofferson on April 5, 1933, in Iowa City. He preceded her in death in 1991. They had one son, Harry of rural Nichols. Esther was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her two grandsons were the lights of her life. Esther a...[more]

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oached life with energy and enthusiasm and was still mowing her own lawn at the age of 95. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and was known for her Christmas candy and other sweet treats. Esther also enjoyed entertaining her friends at their soup suppers and her co-workers from the Cheese House at Kalona where she worked until she was 84 years old. A life-long farm-wife, she enjoyed gardening, traveling, and many types of handiwork, but especially time spent with her family. She loved watching her grandsons show cattle and hogs at the Muscatine County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. Esther attended country schools in rural Johnson and Muscatine Counties. She and her husband, LeRoy, farmed for many years in rural Nichols and Esther had lived in the same house since 1945 until her illness. She and LeRoy enjoyed playing cards and going to dances with their many friends during their marriage. Esther also enjoyed bowling and was a member of several championship bowling teams. A longtime member of Eastern Star in Nichols and Lone Tree, she held several offices including Past Worthy Matron. Esther was involved in many clubs during her life-time and enjoyed the companionship and sociability of her large circle of friends. Left to treasure the many memories are her son, Harry Christofferson and wife, Jo Ann, of Nichols; two grandsons, Andrew Christofferson and wife, Jennifer, of Marion, and Jason Christofferson of Bondurant; two great-grandchildren, Brantley and Ainsley Jo Christofferson; a brother, Carl Ogren and wife, Wilma, of Lone Tree; a nephew, Rick Ogren; and nieces Phyllis Kessler, Barbara Bailey, and Charlene Albright. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Harry Ogren, who died in battle during World War II; and a sister, Anna.