Amber Jayne Esbeck

Amber Jayne Esbeck, the daughter of Frank and Eva Leona Burns Peterson, was born October 10, 1912, on her parents farm in Cass County, Iowa and died March 24, 2009 at Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 96 years, 5 months, and 14 days.
When Amber was one year old her mother Eva died. Amber was adopted by good friends Frank and Nellie Both who had one son Paul. Amber was baptized and confirmed at a Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. She attended rural school in Cass County (Pymosa No. 7) through third grade, attended Wiota Consolidated School from fourth grade through tenth grade, then graduated with the Class of 1930 from Atlantic High School.
On December 11, 1929, she was united in marriage to Orville Esbeck in Corning, Iowa. They operated a farm east of Brayton, Iowa for three years, then moved in 1934 to a farm in Cass County, Iowa. In 1937 they purchased their present farm southwest of Brayton, Iowa. They operated a grain and livestock farm. Orville died February 1, 1980. Amber lived on the farm until she moved to her present home in Exira in 1984. Her grandson Jon purchased the farm in 2005.
Amber had been a member of the Federated United Church of Christ in Exira. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star where she served as Warder, Electa, Esther, Marshal and Associate Matron. She was a member of the Brayton Legion Auxiliary. She was a charter member of Brayton Sunshine Club and a member of the Exira Garden Club. Amber was a Den Mother for the Brayton Cub Scouts and was a 4-H leader and was a member of the Rock Club.
Amber was a lady of many talents: She decorated cakes of all kinds, including wedding cakes. She also made artificial flowers for arrangements and cakes. Many of the family are still blessed today with the paintings she created, most of which included nature. Amber worked side by side with her husband in their farming operation south of Brayton they purchased in 1937, not only with field work, but also with machinery repair and livestock. Amber like to crochet afghans and especially enjoyed playing cards with family and at Senior Citizens in Brayton. Amber was an avid reader of paperback books. She would always send her granddaughter, Diane, to the library to pick out books for her to read, and then mark them with an X on the back after she had read them so Diane would not duplicate them on her next trip to the library for her. Following the death of her husband, Amber made her home in Exira and lived there until she entered the Exira Care Center on December 8, 2008. In later years, Amber worked for the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her son Lamar Esbeck, her granddaughter Stacey Esbeck; her grandson Steve Esbeck; both sets of parents; her brothers and sisters: Faye Peterson, Esther Toft, Harvey Peterson, Ruby Heckman, Alvin Peterson and Paul Both.
Survivors include her children: Eldon and wife Myrna Esbeck of Gallatin, MO; Roger and wife Marian Esbeck of Panora, IA; Glenn and wife Connie Esbeck of Exira; her daughter-in-law Ruth Esbeck of Hawarden, IA; her grandchildren: Cindy Esbeck and husband Duane Axler of Newton, IA; Kurt Esbeck and wife Tina of Gallatin, MO; Barney Esbeck and wife Robin of Gallatin, MO; Amy and husband Brian Vander Wilt of Buffalo Center, IA; Jeff and wife Peggy Heuer of Johnston, IA; Tim and wife Jennifer Esbeck of Clear Lake, IA; Ann and husband Jim Alexandres of Salina, KS; Mark Esbeck and wife Jane of Sarasota, FL; Crystal Case and husband Tim of Beaman, IA; Sharon Hoover and husband Roger of LaGrand, IA; Keith Esbeck of Atlantic, IA; Dr. Randall and wife Kelly of Cumming, GA; Dennis Esbeck of Brayton, IA and his friend Cindy Funke of Columbus, NE; Jon and wife Diane Esbeck of Brayton; 38 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law Velma Peterson of Anita, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Friday evening at 7:00 P.M at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, with an Eastern Star Service at 7:30 P.M.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Joseph Rose on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.