Esther (Schnell) Haas

Beaver City, Nebraska Esther (Schnell) Haas, age 87, died Monday, August 12, 2013 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege, Nebraska. She was born on November 17, 1925 to John J. and Christina (Mohr) Schnell in the family home in the North German Russian Bottoms, Lincoln, NE. She was the youngest of 5 children, who were among the first generation Americans in their family. Her parents and grandparents immigrated from Norka, Russia. Esther was baptized on December 6, 1925 at the Reformed Emmanuel Church. She was confirmed on March 17, 1940 in the same church. She attended Hayward Elementary School and Whittier Junior High School before promotion to high school at the end of January, 1941. She then attended Lincoln High School until she left school in her junior year to work and help support her family during World War II. She worked at Modern Cleaners for 9 years before moving to the rural Beaver City, NE area in March, 1952. Esther married Earl F. Haas on September 18, 1948. Earl worked at the George Gallup John Deere Company. When she and Earl moved to the country, Esther became a farm wife and quickly adapted to the home that was 10 miles from town. In 1968, Esther began working in the kitchen at the Beaver City Manor and worked there until 1987. She and Earl sold their farm in 1974 and built a new home in Beaver City. She retired at the age of 62 to care for Earl as his health declined. He died on November 30, 1991 from pancreatic cancer. Esther’s health began declining in 2006, and she entered the Holdrege Memorial Homes on November 5, 2010. She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl, her parents and her brothers: Adam, Raymond, and Albert & sister: Leah. She is survived by her daughters Sidonia & husband Ken Babcock of Beaver City, Nebraska Sharon & husband Mike Lanham of Oxford, Nebraska 2 grandchildren 7 great-grandchildren 2 step-granddaughters, 2 step great granddaughters, and 1 step great great grandson. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com There will be no viewing or visitation as Esther’s request. Graveside services will be held Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 10:00 am at Mount Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Nebraska with Kirk Einspahr, officiating. Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be left in her name.