OSKALOOSA —
Esther Woodward, 90, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. Center in Oskaloosa.
She was born Feb. 27, 1922, west of Lacey, the daughter of Frank and Maude Russell Stout. Esther attended school at Lacey and graduated as Salutatorian of the Lacey High School class of 1939. She attended William Penn College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught in the Elm Grove Country School near her family’s farm. On May 28, 1942, she was united in marriage to Franklin Howard Woodward at Lacey. Frank died on June 21, 1996. Following their marriage, Esther stayed home to care for her children and help Frank on the farm. She was a very active member of the First Church of the Nazarene, now Gateway Church of the Nazarene, where she taught Sunday school for 38 years and helped with Vacation Bible School for many years. She enjoyed cooking.
She is survived by her three children, Joyce (and Terry) White of St. Joseph, Mich., Harlan Woodward, of St. Joseph, Mo., and Calvin Woodward, of Oskaloosa; two grandchildren, Joel (and Melinda) Woodward and Amy (and Mike) Maudlin, all of St. Joseph, Mo.; four great-grandchildren, Airman Alex, Courtney, and Reagan Maudlin and Amanda Woodward; a sister, Beryl Williams, of New Sharon; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Stout, of New Sharon, and Shirley Stout, of Oskaloosa.
In addition to her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Merlin Woodward; two brothers, Russell and Darrell Stout; and a sister, Alberta Stout.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa with the Rev. David Childers officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 12 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Gateway Church of the Nazarene.
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Esther Woodward
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October 18, 2012
