Esther Sena Meyer

Esther Sena Meyer, a Stover native and one of the oldest residents of our community, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 18, 2020, at the Golden Age Living Center in Stover.

She was born on the 6th day of July in 1919, the only child of John D. and Kathryn “Katie” Boeschen Meyer.

Her parents had her baptized on July 17, 1919 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover and followed with her confirmation at St. Paul on April 9, 1933.  The confirmation verse chosen was from II Peter 3:18, “ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” Esther remained a faithful member of St. Paul, walking to church every Sunday that she was able. She was also active in the Senior Ladies Aide and enjoyed quilting with the ladies on Wednesday.

Esther never married but that did not mean she didn’t have a family.  In 1951 Esther went to work in the Warren and Evelyn Cooper home because Evelyn was helping out at the family store, Cooper’s IGA.  She began in 1951, following the birth of Linda, Warren and Evelyn’s youngest daughter.  From that time on, Esther was an integral part of Gloria and Linda’s lives, from sharing trips to Pikes Peak, going to shows at the Ozark Opry, spending evenings with the extended Cooper family listening to them play music, eavesdropping on her telephone conversations in German, to watching Linda’s own children marry and have families of their own, she was there at every event, big and small.

She was a part of the everyday activities at the Cooper home, from assisting Evelyn in the kitchen making dinner to building gingerbread houses at the table and sharing her secret with the girls on how to keep them from falling apart.

Esther was a gifted seamstress, making all of her own clothes along with making beautiful dresses for Gloria and Linda to wear. One year Linda received a Barbie doll as a gift and it was Esther (or Ocki, pronounced Aw-Kee, as Linda affectionately called her because she couldn’t pronounce Esther); who painstakingly made additional clothes, complete with buttonholes, zippers and the works, all without a pattern. She also made quilts for each of her girls and their families, making sure each stitch was perfect and done with love.

She loved to read and was always curious. After returning from numerous trips to Germany, Gloria would send her newspapers in German because she enjoyed reading and interpreting the language.

Gloria remembers the time Esther took the bus from Missouri to San Francisco to visit her but instead of Esther riding the bus home, Warren, Evelyn and Warren’s sister Ginny hopped in the family station wagon and made the trek to bring her home.

In Linda’s words… “The memories we shared and created are woven throughout my life, my kids and their families. She touched and enriched all of our lives in so many giving ways.  We were so blessed to have her in our lives; she was a true role model and hero.  That wonderful feeling of love was God’s arms around us.  I love you, Ocki. Rest in peace; beautiful soul.”

In Gloria’s words... “Esther was a remarkable woman who was giving, hardworking, and talented in so many ways. She loved to quilt, sew, read, and garden. I remember the scent of her baked bread fresh out of the oven. Esther was a strong, principled, and positive person who gave of herself unselfishly. She is cherished and will lovingly be remembered.”

Esther is survived by her adopted daughters, Gloria A. Cooper and Linda L. Cooper Baker and husband Bobby grandchildren, Amy A. Fritz and husband Chris and their children Garrin and Elise, Bonny L. Beenen and husband Dusty and their children, Greyson, Lydia and Gunner and Patrick J. Baker and wife Chasity and their children, Riley and Emmy, along with several cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 23, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 23, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Gerald Kurka officiating.  Interment will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Stover.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Esther Meyer fund, payable to the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home to assist with final expenses.

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