Esther Irene Besco
Esther Irene Besco
Esther Irene Besco
April 6, 1928 – January 1, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 87
Esther I. Besco, 87, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, January 1, 2016, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born April 6, 1928, in Wapello County near Eddyville, the daughter of Robert and Anna Belle Blackwood Simmers.
On December 4, 1948, Esther was united in marriage to John M. Besco at Ottumwa. To this union was born a son, John C. Besco.
Early in her adult life, Esther worked at the Oskaloosa Produce, the old soup factory, and later was a cook for many years at the Maid Rite in Oskaloosa until retiring. In retirement, Esther kept busy baby sitting in her home. On August 29, 2000, her husband John died.
Esther was a member of the Eddyville American Legion Auxiliary. She is remembered as a very good cook, and enjoyed going to country and bluegrass music concerts, playing bingo, and especially enjoyed visiting with relatives.
Her family includes her son and his wife, John C. and Deborah Besco of Oskaloosa; two grandchildren, Matt (& Shawna) Besco of Oskaloosa and Jodi (& Rich) Krejci, of Oskaloosa; five great grandchildren: Shea Besco, and John, Aidan, Gretchen, and Quinn Krejci; two sisters: Mary Welch of Oskaloosa and Hazel (& Russell) DeHaai of Pella; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers: Harold, Bobby, Earl, Frank, and Carl Simmers; four sisters: Edna Johnston, Gertrude Wilkins, Louise Shilling, and Ruth Williams; five brothers-in-law; and five sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Del Bittner officiating.
Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery at Eddyville.
Visitation will begin on Tuesday after 3:30 p.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Tuesday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Eddyville Historical Museum.
