Esther Locke

Esther Johnson Locke, age 95 of Oregon died on February 29, 2016 at Sienna Meadows in Oregon. She was born April 13, 1920, the fourth daughter of Henry and Margaret Johnson at the family farm in Lafayette County, WI. She graduated from the Argyle High School in 1938 and entered Nursing School at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Chicago, graduating in 1941. On Dec. 27, 1941, Esther married Stewart D. Locke in the Yellowstone Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children: Marsha Stanek (Ken), Thomas Locke (Jan) and Kathryn Voyles (Ron). Esther worked for years in Obstetrics at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo, IN. She was also a school nurse for 31 years in the Kokomo school system. Esther thoroughly enjoyed her nursing career and was very proud of her profession. Upon Esther's retirement she moved back to Wisconsin to be close to family.

In addition to Esther's children, she is survived by her sister, Rose Marie Bredeson; grandchildren Stewart Locke, Betsy Munsell, Ronald Voyles, Adam Voyles, Nicole Voyles, Jeremy Stanek and Nathaniel Stanek; great grandchildren, Alissa and Ian Locke, Cole, Jackson and Carly Voyles; and many nieces and nephews. Esther was predeceased by her parents, her husband Stewart who died in 1968, sisters, Erma Alm, Alice Oostdik, and Dorothe Hanson, and brother, Gus Johnson. She was also predeceased tragically by two grandchildren, John Locke and Whitney Voyles.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Yellowstone Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville, 4472 Saints Road, at the intersection of Saints Road and Yellowstone Church Road. Rev. Dan Bohlman will officiate. Burial will be in the Yellowstone Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yellowstone Lutheran Church ​(church office at 508 Monroe St. Argyle, WI 53504); St. John's Lutheran Church in Oregon, WI or Hospice.

The family would like to thank Sienna Meadows in Oregon, WI for the excellent and loving care that was given to Esther.