ESTHER MAURINE JACKSON
Esther Maurine Jackson was born June 3, 1920 to John Franklin and Eva Mae (King) Beal and passed away June 27, 2020 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. She attended the Benton School graduating in 1937. The Benton community had a special place in her heart. In 1938 she married Guy Blunck and this marriage was blessed with one son, Larry Lee Blunck, born March 8, 1939. Guy passed away in 1966.
Esther was a care giver from the time she was a girl when she helped to care for her grandmother. In her adult life, she cared for several family members including her son, Larry, and she did baby sitting. She worked for 30 years in the health care field at the Ringgold County Hospital and doing home health care, retiring in 1986. She especially enjoyed rocking the new babies in the hospital nursery. In her retirement she crocheted and gave away many afghans, towels and doilies.
In 1984 Esther married Dean Jackson at the United Methodist Church in Kellerton where they attended. They spent special times visiting and entertaining her large adopted family and their friends including LeRoy and Betty Blessman. ‘Grandma Essie’ got special enjoyment holding each new grand and great grand baby. Following their move to Mount Ayr in 1989, many afternoons included a canasta game with Larry who lived across the street.
After Dean passed away April 25, 2000, Esther continued to live at home until 2005 when she broke her hip and moved to Clearview Estates. There she could visit Larry who was living at Clearview Home. They enjoyed weekly canasta games on Wednesdays with Dick and Camille that continued after Larry’s death as long as she was able.
On June 3 Esther was privileged to celebrate her 100th birthday at Clearview Home with a social distanced party, birthday cake and family on the outside. Staff read her the many cards she received from relatives, friends and past fellow health care workers.
Esther was preceded in death by her son; her husbands; her parents; her sisters, Birdie Nye, Ruth Ferree, Lela Liebig, Lorene Ruby; and her brothers, Lee Beal, Roy Beal and Harold Beal. Among her survivors are many nieces and nephews including, Steve (Mona) Ruby, John (Donna) Beal and Jean Davenport; and step family, Dick (Camille) Jackson, Joy (Alan) Stout, June (Bob) Boles, Donna (Dave) Mooney and their children and grandchildren; and Jackie Werner, Leigha and Cassie and others.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2020 at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, IA.
Officiating will be Pastor Chuck Weiman.
Hymns will be “Fill My Cup, Lord” and “Hymn Of Promise”.
Musician is Justin Akers.
Casketbearers will be David Godbold, Alex Boles, Randall Jackson. Travis McRoberts, Jonathan Stout and Gabe Swersie.
Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, IA.
Memorial fund is in Esther’s name for Health Care Worker Scholarships.
