Esther Mae (Maier) Edwards, 98, of Florence, Montana, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024 in her home. She was born September 19, 1925 in Isabel, South Dakota, the twelfth of nineteen children born to John and Elizabeth Walker Maier.
The family moved to Missoula, Montana in 1935, where she finished her schooling. Later she moved to California to stay with her sister, Ruth, and got a job working for the Marine Corps, where she met Milton Edwards. He had bought some shirts, among other things, and as she was bagging everything, he told her to fold the shirts. She responded with, “fold your own shirts.” Apparently, he liked feisty, because he later came back and asked her to go to dinner with him to celebrate his birthday. She didn’t believe it was his birthday, but learned later he was telling the truth. That was October 10, 1944, and they were married December 23, 1944.They were a loving couple until his death in 2015.
They had three sons, Denny, born in San Francisco, California; Terry, born in Bandera, Texas; and John, born in Missoula, Montana. Esther worked in the Bebe’s Bakery for about two years after the boys were in school. They lived in Missoula until1959, when they bought a small ranch in Florence, where they remained. She and Milt were active in the Bethel Baptist Church in Missoula until their deaths.
Esther worked very hard at everything she did. She always had a big garden, until the last two years of her life, and had beautiful flower beds around her yard. Weeds never survived on her place. She made many, many quilts. Each of her kids and grandkids have one made just for them. She was first and foremost a wife and mother. She loved and cared for her family. She always had homemade goodies in her kitchen and in her freezer. And when grandkids and great-grandkids came along, she loved and played with them too. They have fond memories of her playing games with them, both inside and outside. She played cards, soccer, croquet, No Bears Out Tonight, and more. She was very active until the last few years. She was still getting down on the floor to play with babies in her mid-80’s!
After Milt retired, they began spending the winters in Quartzsite, Arizona, and made many good friends there. She could never stand being idle so learned to make beautiful pine needle baskets and a variety of gift cards. Everything she made was beautiful.
Esther was preceded in death by 17 siblings; her husband, Milton; son, John; granddaughters, Yvonne Edwards Kinghorn and Lisa Edwards Puente.
She is survived by her brother, Larry Maier; daughter-in-law, Chrissy; sons, Denny (Shari) and Terry of Florence; grandchildren, Jeff, John, Travis, Lyndsi and Crissy; 20 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great grandchildren.
Burial will be at the Florence-Carlton Cemetery, Saturday, May 18, at 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at the Grace Gospel Church at 1601S. Sixth St. W. in Missoula at 1 p.m. Dessert and coffee will be served following the service.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at whitesittfuneralhome.com.