ESTHER BEATA OTTMAR

Esther Beata Ottmar, 91, entered eternal life in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at her home under the care of Hospice. A funeral service for Esther will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Devils Lake with Reverend Timothy Stout officiating. Interment will follow at the Devils Lake Cemetery with Reverend Donald Sauls officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Pallbearers will be Clarence Toso, Dean Toso, Jason Toso, Justin Toso, Thaddaeus Sauls, Allen Sauls and Troy Bridgford. Esther’s twelve great grandchildren, Abby, Kyleigh, Kole, Randi, Trevin, Riley G., Avery, Addison, Gavin, Alyssa, Ryan and Riley R. will serve as Honorary Bearers. Music will be Congregational Hymns, with Elonda Nord as organist. Special music “How Great Thou Art” will be sung by Pastor Stout, accompanied by Mavis Blake. Esther, the daughter of Theodore and Beata (Schulz) Voll was born on September 23, 1924 on a farm near Carson, ND. She was baptized on October 26, 1924 at the German Evangelical St. Johns Lutheran Church. When Esther’s father retired from farming in 1934, she moved with her family to Mott, ND. Following World War II, she met and married Gottlieb (Gus) Ottmar, also from Mott. In 1957, she and Gus moved with their three children to Devils Lake, transferring their membership from Christ Lutheran Church in Mott to St. Peters Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Esther faithfully attended church and Bible class and served during those early years as church organist. She also joined the LWML, Ladies Aid and Quilting Guild. In 1970, Esther earned her GED from the State of North Dakota. She worked as a seamstress for several Devils Lake clothing stores including Glicksons, J.C. Penney and Herbst. Her many talents included gardening, macramé, knitting, crocheting and sewing for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. During the early 1980’s, she discovered a new talent-oil painting. She attended two workshops in the Old Post Office and became a Lake Region landscape artist who produced many oil paintings which she sold. Another hobby she enjoyed was Walleye fishing in Devils Lake. She spent many days and into the evenings patiently waiting for “the big one”. Esther was a devoted Christian who will be remembered as a kind, soft-spoken lady, always a willing helper and never one to seek attention. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Esther is survived by two daughters, Sandra (Reverend Donald) Sauls of Berne, IN and Linda (Clarence) Toso of Devils Lake; grandchildren, Candice (Troy) Bridgford of Lincoln, NE, Allen Sauls of Berne, IN, Thaddaeus (Laura) Sauls of Whiteland, IN and Chrystal Sauls also of Lincoln, Dean (Amy) Toso of East Grand Forks, MN, Jason (Niki) Toso of Devils Lake, Justin (Cienna) Toso of Grand Forks; twelve great grandchildren; two brothers Leo Voll of Mandan, ND and Loren Voll of Elgin, ND and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Theodore and Beata; husband Gus Ottmar on June 5, 2005; son LeRoy Ottmar; brothers Arthur Voll and Leonard Voll; sisters Laura Schriock and Martha Huber. Memorials may be directed to St. Peters Lutheran Church or Altru Home Health and Hospice. Condolences may be shared at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com