Stevensville – Esther M. (Norris) Swisher, age 74, passed away January 21 at 8:30 a.m. at her home in Stevensville, Montana. Esther was born December 15, 1940 in Great Falls, Montana. Esther is survived by her husband, Thomas H. Swisher of Stevensville; Montana, an older brother, Jack C. Norris of
Browning, Montana; a younger brother Eden (Ed) E. Norris of Clancy, Montana; daughter, Michelle K. (Swisher) and Eric Tyson of Ancnorage, Alaska; daughter, Anna M. (Swisher) and Rick dela Rosa of Barrow, Alaska; eight grandchildren: Priscilla (USMC), Charles III, Thomas, Eric, Vada, Ricky, Camron, and Cassidy; three step grandchildren: Chelsea, Tyler, and Faith, and five great grandchildren; nephew Steven Trombley of California; niece, Angela (Norris) and Brian Schultz and family of Belgrade, Montana; niece, Amy (Norris) and Brian Elsmore and family of Mississippi, and niece, Dennise Norris and family of Phoenix, Arizona. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law, Lilly Norris, and nephew Christopher Norris.
Esther lived on ranches with her family in Sun River, Vaughn, and
Cascade where she often walked three miles to attended 1st grade in a one-room country schoolhouse that was for grades 1-7. She then attended school in Fort Shaw in a section of the old military fort, and grades 4-12 in Browning. In 1965 she graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula and was married to Thomas Swisher, also a teacher. In Montana, Esther taught in Browning, Ronan, and in Missoula at St. Anthony’s, as well as adult education through the University of Montana. She was also a school coordinator in Rocky Boy.
In 1970 she and her husband moved to Barrow, Alaska. After they
had moved, they received offers to teach in Japan and Guam. They
planned to stay two years in Alaska. However, their two years turned into 25 years. Esther said, “Alaska’s Bush very much grows on you. The Native people are so respectful, kind and willing to learn from and teach anyone who is interested.” During her time in Alaska, she taught elementary in the Arctic Inupiat village of Barrow for 20 years, taught bilingual classes for grades 1-7 in Eagle River area schools. She was active in several educational programs and was the secretary of the PTA, president of one of Alaska’s first Lioness clubs and active in the Rotary Club Foreign Exchange Program. After she retired from teaching she took
five years to direct a state daycare of 88 children aged 6 weeks-preschool.
The following five years, Esther cared for her three grandchildren while Michelle finished her education. In 2004 she and Tom moved back to Stevensville, Montana where they live and enjoy the country life.
Visitation was held on Sunday, January 25 at St. Mary’s Mission Parish with a vigil service. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, January 26 also at the church. Interment followed in St. Mary’s Mission Cemetery with a reception tin the church’s family center. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.