LODI - Esther Mae (Weber) Klingbiel of Harmony Grove, Wis., passed peacefully into the presence of her Savior on Thursday, March 13, 2025. She was 94 years old.
She was born in Pickett, Wis., on May 15, 1930, to Jacob and Katherine (Richter) Weber. Esther lost both her mother and father before she was 15 years old, but was well taken care of by her older sisters, Emily, Marie and Eleanor. On October 6, 1951, she married John Klingbiel, a fish biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Although Esther didn’t care much for fishing, she loved her handsome fisherman and cooked many, many fish dinners through the years! Together they raised four sons and a daughter, and were married for almost 73 years when John passed away in August 2024.
Esther loved introducing others to Jesus Christ and did so through the many Bible studies she led. She was active in Christian Women’s Club, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and Stonecroft Ministries. She and John hosted many international students and countless other friends and family in their home. She was the choir director at Middleton Baptist Church for many years, and also worked at WNWC, a Christian radio station in Madison, until her retirement in 1990.
In 1996, John and Esther moved to Harmony Grove, where they lived on Lake Wisconsin, enjoying many beautiful sunsets, family gatherings, and more delicious fish dinners. Esther took great joy in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She and John prayed for each of them regularly. No matter how many showed up at the house, Esther always had a warm welcome and a bowl of ice cream to greet them.
Esther is survived by her children, John (Lucy) Klingbiel of Barneveld, Wis., Tim (Linda) Klingbiel of Poynette, Wis., Dan (Julie) Klingbiel of Frederick, Md., Tom Klingbiel of Verona, Wis., and Kathy (Keith) Ellis of Farmington, Minn.; 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by John, her loving husband of 72 years; her parents, Jacob and Katherine Weber; four sisters and two brothers; her daughter-in-law, Sheila; her grandson, Tom Klingbiel; and her great-grandson, Thomas Beren Runck.
A visitation will be held at Lake Wisconsin Evangelical Free Church, N1640 Ryan Road, Lodi, Wis., on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the same location, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Robert Dennison presiding. A luncheon will follow the service.
A special thank you to the caregivers at Agrace HospiceCare and Sienna Crest Assisted Living for your kind and compassionate care to Esther.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to the family, who will disburse them to ministries supported by John and Esther.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main St.
(608) 592-3201
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