Esther Schrock

Esther Pearl Schrock, age 87, passed away on December 6th at Peace Hospice of Montana in Great Falls from natural causes. She was born on March 7th 1924 in Stearns County Minnesota. She graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School and moved to Minneapolis where she worked in a defense plant (her daughter referred to this as her 'Rosie the Riverter' phase). After the war ended she moved back to St Cloud and worked creating decorative art for the home, plaques etc. In the spring of 1949 she came to Glacier Park to work for Great Northern in the Chalet at East Glacier. As she was hitchhiking from East to West Glacier one weekend, Bud picked her up and that was the beginning of their romance of more than 62 years. They were married on October 8th 1949 and made their home in Fairfield. After they married Esther worked at the Co-op in Fairfield as a bookkeeper before her children were born, returning to work at Shannon's store once they were older. She and Bud bought that store (renamed B & E Clothing) and ran it until 1982 when they sold it and Esther retired. After Bud retired they made their winter home in Whittman, AZ., where Esther enjoyed the sun and activities. Esther was involved in many local organizations over the years and was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Fairfield for over 60 years. She also was a volunteer on the Fairfield Ambulance Service for several years. She enjoyed sewing, craftwork and fishing and camping. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Bernice Dee & Ruth Dosh of Minnesota. Esther is survived by her husband Earl (Bud) of Fairfield, her brother, Forrest, of Deerlake, Minnesota, her daughter, Janet and her partner, Carol Czarnowski, of Pittsburg, CA., her son David and his wife, Jan, of Billings, MT., her granddaughters Samantha of Billings, MT., and Emily of Seattle, WA., as well as many nieces and nephews in Minnesota and Florida.



A celebration of Esther's life will be held in the spring. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's organization (alz.org), Peace Hospice of Montana or the United Church of Christ in Fairfield.



Her obituary and photo may viewed and online condolences left at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com