ESTHER CATHERINE (DOSER) McALEXANDER
Esther Catherine Doser was born to Emery and Ethel (Bigley) Doser in the family farm home northwest of Kellerton, IA on January 16, 1932. Esther attended the Kellerton Public School graduating in 1950. She continued her education at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, MO. She returned home and taught in the Woodland School in Monroe Township and in Beaconsfield.
On October 24, 1953, Esther married Eugene McAlexander in the Methodist Church at Kellerton, IA. They started housekeeping in Beaconsfield. Esther earned money for the family by selling eggs and cream. In 1962, Eugene, Esther, and the older five children moved to the McAlexander family farm north of Beaconsfield, later welcoming two more children. The seven children included Elaine, Evelyn, Earl, Eldon, Ellen, Emily, and Elsa. Esther welcomed sons-in-laws and daughters-in-laws into the family and immensely enjoyed the 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Esther spent many hours driving kids to their many activities. In addition to encouraging and supporting her children in their activities and interests, she worked alongside her husband on the farm. Esther was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church teaching Sunday School classes and playing piano for choir and church services. Esther enjoyed participating in community betterment, genealogy, and 4-H activities and was the City Clerk for Beaconsfield for 19 years. Eugene and Esther enjoyed traveling to county and state fairs for many years to be a part of their grandchildren’s 4-H activities.
In the spring of 1994, Eugene and Esther moved off the farm and returned to their first home in Beaconsfield. As long as her health allowed, she continued to garden and can fruits and vegetables.
Esther McAlexander passed away at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center on September 26, 2018 at the age of 86.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Paul Eugene Doser, and sister-in-law, Mary Doser; in-laws, Carl and Marjorie McAlexander, Robert and LaVara McAlexander, Don and Naomi Johnston, Dale McAlexander; and grandson, Jacy McAlexander.
Esther is survived by her husband of 64 years; her children and their families include Elaine (Russ) Baughman of Kirkman, IA; Evelyn (Larry) Oliver of Woodbine, IA; Earl (Kerri) of Rockwell City, IA; Eldon (Barbara) of Archie, MO; Ellen (Brad) Hohbach of White Lake, SD; Emily (Robert) Roepsch of Des Moines, IA; and Elsa (Benjamin) Schmidt of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren Alicia Baughman, Chuck Baughman, Willie (Sydney) Baughman, Alex (Susan) Oliver, Grant (Sarah) Oliver, Kate (Luke) Applegate, Carter (Taylor) Oliver, Brittany McAlexander, Sarah (Levon) Tipton, Eric (Megan) McAlexander, Paul McAlexander, Amy McAlexander, Seth Hohbach, Elissa Hohbach, Ryan Roepsch, Justin Roepsch, Greta Schmidt, and Quinn Schmidt; great-grandchildren Quincey Vogel, Myles Baughman, Kellen Oliver, Olivia Oliver, Elliott Oliver, Eleanor Applegate, Leann Tipton, and Collin Tipton; extended family including Raymond and Dola Doser, Marlene Doser, Kenneth and Virginia McAlexander, and Joy McAlexander. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Beaconsfield, IA.
Officianting the service was Pastor June Nolte-Davis.
Musicians were Mary Ann Smith and Rose McAlexnder.
Songs were “This Is My Fathers World” and “Softly and Tenderly.
Casketbearers were Esther’s grandchildren.
Esther was laid to rest at the Ellston Cemetery in Ellston, IA.
Memorials are left to the Beaconsfield United Methodist Church.
