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Esther E. Wienke, 92

Esther E. Wienke, 92, was reunited with her past loved ones on Nov. 3, 2022.

Esther was born July 18, 1930, in Woodstock to Gustaf and Kathrine (Madsen) Persson, the youngest of six children.

The beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away with family at her side after enduring cancer the past three years.

Esther is survived by her sister, Mildred Luallen; children, Andrea Thompson, Dan (Janet) Sorenson, and Rick Sorenson; grandchildren, Jami (Cody) Sauber, Erica Thompson, Beth Sorenson, Kelsey (Matt) Schroeder, Andrew Sorenson, and Patrick Sorenson; great-grandchildren, Makayla Sauber and Charlie Schroeder; sister-in-law, Lois Range; many nieces and nephews, and lifelong friend Gloria Holy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Art Persson, Stanley Persson, Myrtle Beresh, and Florence Knox; son, Michael Sorenson; and husbands, Andrew Sorenson Jr and Jack Wienke.

Esther was an exceptionally strong woman who persevered through trying times in her life. She grew up during the Great Depression and then watched both her brothers go off to war. After marrying Andrew Sorenson Jr in 1953, they had three small boys at home when Andy was tragically killed in a Naval Air Reserves plane crash just three weeks before the birth of their daughter. In 1978 she then lost her first-born son, Michael, to the mountains of Washington state.

Esther was a selfless and kind caregiver, chauffeur, and helper for numerous family members, friends, and neighbors throughout her life. She was credited in 1957 by the city of Woodstock with saving the life of a local woman and her newborn baby while working as a switchboard operator at Bell Telephone Co. She was also a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Burial and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in 2023. Memorials may be made to Everett Mountain Rescue, 5506 Old Machias Road, Snohomish, WA 98290.

Donations can also be made online at the everettmountaintrescue.org. This all-volunteer organization is funded solely through private donations; these were the fellow climbers who searched for Mike when he was missing.

For additional information, call Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home or visit the website at slmcfh.com.

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