Esther E. Osterby

Esther E. Osterby, age 97, formerly of Wausau, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024, in Portage, WI.

Esther was born September 18, 1926, in Withee, Wisconsin, daughter of Carl and Thyra (Hansen) Andreasen. They precede her in death.

Esther graduated from high school in Withee, Wisconsin in 1944. She then worked in Minneapolis, Minnesota before attending Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa.

On August 22, 1948, Esther married her true love and life partner, Donald Osterby, in Withee, Wisconsin. After marriage, Esther and Don lived in Wausau and raised a family of six children. Esther also worked as the secretary at Immanuel Lutheran Church and later in the claims department at Wausau Insurance.

While in high school, Esther played on the basketball team with two of her sisters and continued to be physically active for much of her life. Esther was very involved in her church and enjoyed gardening, knitting and crocheting, and spending time at the family cabin on Big Bear Lake in Burnett County. Esther also enjoyed birdwatching and was an avid reader up until the very end.

Survivors include son Erik, Honolulu, HI, daughter Karen (Rex Taylor), Endeavor, WI, son Peter, Webster, WI, son Kurt (Barbara Schwarz), Saint Louis, MO, son Daniel, Wausau, WI, daughter Jean Pflanz (Mike Pienkowski), Elgin, IL, grandchildren Chelsea Osterby, Kyle Pflanz, Karsten Osterby, and Graham Pienkowski, and great grandson Nicolai Nelson.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her brothers Ralph, Clifford and Norman, and her sisters Palma, Inger, Roma and Florence.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams St., Wausau, with visitation at 10:00 am until the time of the service. Pastor Tryphine Schruba will officiate.

Memorials in Esther’s name may be directed to the Portage Public Library (www.portagelibrary.us/make-donation-or-memorial)

Brainard Funeral Home- Wausau Chapel is assisting our family. Online condolences may be given here at www.brainardfuneral.com