Funeral service: will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus
Interment: will follow in the family lot of the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus
Esther Emma Barnhart, age 97 of Broadus, Montana, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Esther was born on October 25, 1910 in Hermann, Missouri, the daughter of Otto andErnastine (Scheible)Graupner. She was raised and attended schools in Hermann and Stroneyhill, Missouri. On October 8, 1930, she was united in marriage to Elliot Elwood Barnhart at Kansas City, Missouri. They moved to Epsie, Montana where they ranched and raised their family.
Esther was the Powder River Senior Citizen of the Year in 1993, Montanas Mother of the Year in 1994, started the Epsie Homemakers Club and was member for over fifty years; she was a charter member of the Powder River Historical Society and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the Powder River Senior Citizens. Her accomplishments also included writing seven books, that were poetry and history based. The Powder River County Fair book was dedicated to Esther and Elliott in 1986.
Esther is survived by three sons; Bud (Delores) Barnhart of Gilmer, TX, Harold (Janet) Barnhart of Billings, MT, and Jesse (Connie) Barnhart of Broadus, MT, two daughters; Marla Patten of Reliance, SD and Marlene (Jack) Grimm of Broadus, MT, a sister, Ruth Birkholz of Miles City, MT, eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, OscarGraupner and Paul Graupner and three sisters; Clara Mabry, Alma Schneider, and Helen Poeschel.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus. Should friends wish, condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Congregational Church, the Powder River Historical Society or to the charity of one's choice.
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