Esther Spangler

Esther Lucile Spangler, 102, of Guthrie Center, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at the Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center.

Esther Lucile Benton was born March 19, 1912, in Guthrie County to Nathaniel and Caroline Wilmenia (Hocamp) Benton. She went to country school. Later she did babysitting for mothers who worked outside the home, also learning to sew at this time.

She married Beryl Spangler September 21, 1929. They moved to the Spangler family farm, where three daughters were born; Carol Jean, MaryAnn and Betty Lou.

Esther belonged to the New Bethel Methodist Church and taught children’s Sunday school for several years.

After farming for 51 years Esther and Beryl built a new home in Adair and joined the United Methodist Church there. Esther belonged to the Birthday Club, Civic League and the United Methodist Women of church. She enjoyed quilting, reading, flowers, traveling, playing cards, dancing, and she especially loved her grandchildren.

In April of 2010, she moved to the New Homestead assisted living in Guthrie Center. Esther celebrated her 100th birthday with a party with Governor Brandstad, along with other centenarians.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Beryl on January 10, 1987; a son-in-law, Merle Noland; granddaughter, Sheila Noland; great-granddaughter, Jade Moss; three brothers, Earl, Gerald and Clarence (Rich) Benton; and two sisters, Eva Maxwell and Martha Cahail.

Surviving Esther are her three daughters, Carol Noland and Mary Ann (Dean) Heckman all of Adair, IA and Betty Lou (Jim) Marquis of Missouri; sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Kilcoin of Adair, IA; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2014, at the Adair Community Centre. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 28, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Adair, Iowa. Burial will be in Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair.