Esther B. Voges, 91

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Blue Earth – Esther Betty Voges, age 91, of Blue Earth passed away Thursday, Feb.1, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rev. David Schultz officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery in Lake Wilson. Online condolences can be left at www.pattonfh.com

Esther was born at home on a farm near Dimock, South Dakota, Feb. 7, 1932, to Albert and Bertha (Sperlich) Krieger. The family moved to a farm near Mitchell, South Dakota. Because of the dust bowl and grasshoppers in the 1930’s the family relocated to a farm south of Blue Earth in 1942. Esther finished fourth grade in Plano, South Dakota and graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1950. She was involved in many high school activities, was a cheerleader and 1949 Homecoming Queen. She was confirmed from and a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for Faribault County Extension, Farm Bureau, ASC and the county assessor’s office.

She married Rodney Anderson in 1952 and they made their home on a farm south of Blue Earth raising their six children together, until they divorced in 1983. Besides being a farm wife, raising a family and being involved in their activities, she went back to work part time at Krahmer & Krahmer Law office in Fairmont and then full time in the business office at UHD. She was also a 4-H leader, involved in the Blue Earth Boosters and the 4-H County Board, participated in several church groups and held offices with the American Legion Auxiliary.

In 2000, she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and worked at Sanford Health until her retirement in 2011. In 2002, she married Frank Voges. He passed suddenly in 2010 so Esther returned to Blue Earth in 2011. Frank and Esther shared a love for music and especially classic country. Frank was a bass guitar picker and singer for country dance bands in SW MN and Sioux Falls. Although they only had a few years together, it was filled with family, many friends, memories and music.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Charles (JoAnn) Anderson, of Winnebago, Nancy (Mike) Palm, of Waseca, Jean Staneart, of Waseca, Richard (Linda) Anderson, of Vail, Arizona, David (Kathy) Anderson, of Blue Earth, Jerold (Lynn) Anderson, of Blue Earth; step-children: Dawn (Dennis) Schroeder, of Tracy, Brian (Shannon) Voges, of Sioux Falls, Tim (Krista) Voges, of Morris, Mike Saur, of Sioux Falls, and Crystal (Kevin) Dahle, of Sioux Falls; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren; brother, Allan (Sharon) Krieger; as well as many other extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank; sister, Alice (Laurence) Cahill; and brothers, Loren (Bernice) Krieger and Ronald Krieger.