ST. JOSEPH, Mo. Esther Salome Neufeld, 96, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
She was born July 9, 1927 in Yale, to Henry and Sarah (Hofer) Wedel.
Esther met Albert Neufeld at Grace Bible Institute and they were married Sept. 6, 1949. Their first church was in Arena, N.D., and from there they went to Panama as missionaries, where they spent 10 years in the field.
After returning to the U.S., they served churches in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Esther loved being a homemaker and ministers wife, helping to care for her husbands church. She enjoyed baking, canning, gardening, embroidery, quilting, sewing, babysitting, reading and helping others.
Survivors include her children, Wanda Anderson (Daniel), Naomi Okoye (Sydney), and Korreen Morris (Jim); son-in-law, Howard Sorensen; grandchildren, Jodi Shell (Steve), Jami Marstall (John), Matthew Anderson (Bryanna), Jedidiah Sorenson (Sheila), Rochelle Stewart (Neal), Amanda Okoye-McCarthy (Kali), Brian Okoye, Cynthia Carter (Ricki), Dacia Okoye, Kody Melvin (Apryle), step-grandchildren, Trey Melvin (Jen) Alexa Melvin, RJ Morris (Grace); 24 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); one great-great-grandchild (with one the way); sister, Mary Ann Jones (Don); brother, Sam Wedel (Belva); sisters-in-law, Gladys Wedel and Beverly Wedel; other extended family members and friends.
After 64 years of marriage, Albert preceded her in death on November 26, 2013. She is also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Eileen Sorensen; brothers, Herb (Lola), Palmer (Goldie), Toby, and Wesley Wedel; and sisters, Verda Hofer and Martha Wedel.
A Celebration of Life is 11 a.m., July 20, at Crosspointe Community Church in St. Joseph, Mo. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
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