By HDN Staff
Esther Ruth Hostetter, 90, a retired nurse, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at a Havre care center of natural causes. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be at a later date.
Esther was born in El Reno, Okla., to James C. and Angela Mabel (Butler) Hostetter on March 16, 1911. She came to visit her brother, Orville Hostetter, and liked the area and the people, so she decided that she would like to live in Havre. She returned to Enid, Okla., and she and her mother moved to Havre in 1958.
Esther worked at the Sacred Heart Hospital as a nurse's aide in the nursery. She decided to go to college and obtain her licensed practical nursing degree. She attended the Northern Montana College nursing program.
After she graduated, she went to work for Northern Montana Hospital. She retired at the age of 70. After her retirement, she did private home care for ailing individuals. At 75, she decided to slow down. In 1989, she went into the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd and then the Northern Montana Care Center.
She was an artist, and enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting all her clothing. She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with her pets, a dog and a few cats and fish. Esther was a member of the Havre Senior Center. She was an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Glenn Hostetter and Orville Hostetter; and nephew, Gary Hostetter.
Survivors include her nephews, Don McLeslie of Craig, Colo., and Jack McLeslie of Spokane, Wash.; nieces, Betty Purkett of Spokane, Wash., Judy Chewning of Athena, Ore., and Connie Dobrenz of Havre; great-niece, Nanette Ellis of Havre; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.
