She was born to Jacob G. and Anna Friesen on June 25, 1920, at Steinbach, Man. At six months of age, her family relocated to sunny Winton, Calif., where she spent a happy childhood with her loving parents and siblings, swimming in the canal and attending her first three grades of school.

Opportunity in Alberta, Canada, lured the family north in 1929. All 10 of them crowded into their Studebaker car and they camped along the way. Father Friesen bought a farm along the banks of Kneehill Creek near Swalwell, Alta., where Esther grew to young womanhood. At the age of 14 she repented, found peace with God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister A.G. Ensz on June 29, 1934. She cherished this faith all her life.

Mom found the love of her life in Alvin Boese and they were married at Linden, Alta., on June 31, 1944. In 1950, Alvin and Esther moved west over the mountains to a dairy farm on the hillsides near Abbotsford, B.C., where her parents and most of her siblings had relocated. What joyous times were spent with family and friends there, but in 1961 the Prairies called them back to the Linden area. Their life was happy and full with six growing children and life’s responsibilities. There was one more move close to the mountains of Pincher Creek, in 1968, where she resided until her death at age over 100 years.

Esther was not immune from life’s sorrows. In 1987 a tragic automobile accident took the lives of her son Gordon and grandson Bruce. In 1990 cancer claimed the life of her beloved husband, Alvin. Tragedy struck again when her daughter Clara lost her life in a car accident in 2012. Like a willow tree, she bent with the winds of adversity each time, held onto her faith and carried on.

Alvin and Esther had a heart for others. Their lives were enriched by time spent serving at a children’s emergency shelter in Gallup, N.M., where they lavished their love on unfortunate children and worked alongside a wonderful team of young ladies.

Children and grandchildren remember her as a spunky lady with a great love for her family and a gentle sense of humour. Her delicious meals drew family and friends to her table many times, where we felt cherished under her loving care. Her calm, encouraging stability made her an easy confidant to all who valued her trustworthiness. We as a family appreciate her example of resilience and steadfastness through life’s ups and downs. She has been our guiding star. We mourn the loss of our gracious mother but rejoice that she has gained the victory and a home in heaven.

Left with sweet memories are her children Roy and Barbara Boese, Pincher Creek; Inez Enns, Linden, Alta.; Ron and Lola Boese, Pincher Creek; Lorna and Tony Wohlgemuth, Swanson, Sask.; Len Boese, Lethbridge, Alta.; and Howard and Rose Elliott, Creston, B.C.; 24 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Her husband, one son, one daughter, one grandson and six great-grandsons preceded her in death.

A visitation was held on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Snodgrass Funeral Homes, followed by the interment at Fairview Cemetery in Pincher Creek.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Snodgrass Funeral Homes

403-627-4864     www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com