Esther Mary Arline Ardueser

Esther Mary Arline (Kasten) Ardueser was born September 14, 1915, to Frederick and Nona (Genthe) Kasten. She transitioned to heaven on October 25, 2015. Esther M. Ardueser celebrated her 100th birthday on September 14, 2015. Esther was born in Syracuse, Nebraska. Her family moved to Burlington, Colorado, when she was two; later moving to Denver and Fort Collins. She spent her hundred years on this earth as a hard worker, leader, giver of herself, friend to many, and the best mother and wife anyone could have. Esther married Otto Ardueser in 1938 in Littleton, Colorado. She and husband, Otto, raised three daughters and two sons. Esther has been a Fort Collins resident for 70 years. During her very busy 100 years, she served as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church and was a member for over 70 years. She was active in the Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls, and Foothills Gateway Rehabilitation Center since its beginning. She served as the Chairman of the Christmas Wreath Fund Raising Project for over 30 years. The project, which was started to raise milk money for the clients at Gateway Easter Seal Center, later became a true fund raiser for Foothills Gateway Rehabilitation Center. With the help of her husband, many parents of clients, and many volunteers, the group was able to raise between $20,000-$30,000 each year for the Center. Many of you may know her as “The Wreath Lady.” She worked part-time at Colorado State University in the Registrar’s Office and for the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. She was an active member of her church circle. She was an avid bowler in her younger days. Her biggest accomplishment or blessing, as she would refer to it, was nurturing and raising her daughter, Patricia, born with Down ’s syndrome. She is survived by two daughters, Judith Callicotte (Del) of Utah and Karen Oenning of Fort Collins; one son, Allan Ardueser of Denver; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, her husband, Otto A. Ardueser; her son, Donald A. Ardueser; her daughter, Patricia; and her grandson, Brian P. Oenning. The family would like to request any memorial contributions in Esther’s name be directed to the Brian Oenning Memorial Scholarship, Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation / Oncology Nurse Education Scholarship in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W Olive St, Fort Collins, CO 80524. A Viewing will be held on Wednesday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.

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Esther Mary Arline Ardueser

September 14, 1915 - October 25, 2015