Obituary of Esther Louise Kelm

ESTHER LOUISE KELM age 97 of Jefferson formerly of Winona, Minnesota went to meet Jesus on January 9, 2013 at Alden Estates in Jefferson. She was born on January 26, 1915 in Norton Township, Minnesota to the Rev. August and Wilhelmine (Bandkau) Bergmann. Her father came to this country from Germany as an orphan to study Ministry. Late in life he preached the German services at St. John's Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Esther graduated from Jefferson High School in 1932. She married Herbert Kelm on September 4, 1943 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jefferson; he preceded her in death on September 8, 1966. She and Herb lived in Madison where she worked for the State Board of Vocational and Adult Education. Later moving to Winona MN she worked as a bookkeeper for Land O" Lakes, and was also a homemaker. Esther was a member of St. Mathews Church in Winona, its Circle 8 Card Club and Bible class. She was a member of West Field Golf Club and was an avid Bowler. Esther will be deeply missed by the families of her nieces and nephews; Marlene Brunner of Jefferson, Miriam (John) Steinke of Lindenhurst IL, Ronald (Sue) Pitzner of Jefferson, Mary Foskett of Jefferson Beatrice Moore of West Palm Beach FL, Kathy (David) Groth of Muskego, Alisa (Jim) Schmidt of Sherwood, Pastor Paul Kelm of Jackson, Pastor Daniel Kelm of Baraboo, David Kelm of Michigan and many great nieces and nephews and other friends who have been so kind to her. and many great nieces and nephews and other friends who have been so kind to her. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Brother Ewald Bergmann, sister Lydia Pitzner, and her special friend Earl Blank. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday January 11, 2013 at the Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home in Jefferson, with the Rev. Mark O. Bartsch officiating, burial will follow in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 noon until the time of services. Those wishing to express sympathy through a memorial may direct them to; St. Matthews Church 766 W. Wabasha St. Winona MN. 55987 in Esther's memory. Visit; www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in her memory.