Esther Ruth Halverson, age 101, of Carroll, IA, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, April 14, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Carroll with Rev. Terry Plocher officiating. Music for the service will be by Nancy Davis and Jake Gute. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church YouTube Channel at Carroll FUMC Video.
Visitation will be held on Monday morning from 9:30 A.M. to 10:15 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the First United Methodist Church in Carroll.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.
Esther was born on March 4, 1924 in Akron, IA, and she was the daughter of Henry A. and Emma (Gillman) Stryzewski. She attended the Akron Community School and graduated from the Akron High School. She then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, receiving her bachelor’s degree in music. In 1950, she was united in marriage to John J. Rogers, and they were blessed with one daughter, Ann. Esther was employed as the vocal and music instructor at the Manning, Coon Rapids, and Bayard School District for several years. Esther also was the publisher for the Coon Rapids Enterprise for several years. John passed away in 1960 and she was later married to William L. Chambers in 1965 and he passed away in 1979. In 1982, she was married to Donald W. Forrest, and he passed away in 1984. She later found love again, marrying Donald Halverson on May 1, 1994. The couple made their home in Carroll, IA. They enjoyed many wonderful friends, games of bridge, and travel experiences. Their favorite trips included winters in Arizona with friends and a trip to Israel, where Esther and Don were baptized in the Jordan River.
Esther was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Carroll where she was very active in the church including directing the church choir. She also directed the church choirs at the Presbyterian Church in Carroll, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Carroll and the Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. She organized the Carroll Community Chorus in 1976 and directed that group for several years. She organized various small vocal groups in the Carroll community, including. a women’s triple trio, the Noteables, where she made lifelong close friends. She was also a member of P.E.O. since 1952. Esther loved cooking, baking, and gardening. But most of all she cherished the time with her friends and especially her family.
Esther wanted to teach instrumental music but was told that it was not suitable for young ladies to teach instrumental music, and that she should teach vocal music.
She could not afford to have her laundry done at college, so she mailed it home to have her mother do it. Her mother returned the clothes, along with fresh bread and butter, and once a pheasant.
Esther biked across the Canadian Rockies with three teacher friends on one-speed bikes. They slept on the ground, were sniffed by a bear, woke up next to a rattlesnake nest, and had their pictures taken with the movie star Randolph Scott.
Esther is survived by her daughter Ann Chamber (Kent Nellis); stepsons: Myron (Joani) Halverson, Mark (Debbie) Halverson, David (Mary) Halverson, Doug (Karla) Halverson, and Dierk (Barbara) Halverson; grandchildren, John Davin Nellis and Caroline Nellis; numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul (Ardelle) Halverson; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husbands: John J. Rogers, William L. Chambers, Donald W. Forrest, and Donald G. Halverson; her parents; stepdaughter Linda (Karlton) Fullenworth; brother Ralph (Blanche) Stryzewski; sister Phyllis (Glenn) Kask.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll, Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Carroll, and the staff and volunteers at St. Anthony Hospice for all their care and support for Esther.
