Esther Marie Thornton
Esther Marie Thornton
Esther Marie Thornton
August 22, 1924 – September 15, 2022
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 98
Esther Koeppen Smith Thornton, 98 of New Sharon passed away Thursday evening, September 15, 2022 at the St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Esther Marie Thornton, the daughter of John and Mayme (Kruble) Koeppen, was born on August 22, 1924 in Laverne, Iowa.
Esther graduated from Keystone High School in 1942.
On February 26, 1944, Esther was united in marriage to Jack Smith in Montezuma. To this union six children were born: Jackie, Rodney, Connie, Rickey, Donnie and Cathey. Jack and Esther made their home at Union Mills where she raised their children. They later divorced.
Esther was a farmer’s wife, worked at the Overall Factory in New Sharon for several years, cooked at Bonds Restaurant, worked at D&K Collectables and Marty Rickards Photography.
Esther was then married to Roger Thornton on March 14, 1998 in Oskaloosa. He passed away February 16, 2003.
Esther enjoyed crocheting, doing word puzzles, gardening, fishing, going on trips to Tennessee to see her daughter and going to Old Thrashers with her husband, Roger. She was so proud of her family and loved to attend every activity and sporting event her grandchildren were involved in. Esther had a passion for life and enjoyed going to coffeetime and visiting with friends and family. She attended Union Mills Christian Church and also New Sharon Christian Church.
Esther’s legacy will be cherished by her children: Jackie (& Donna) Smith of New Sharon, Donnie (& Pam) Smith of New Sharon and Cathey (& Rick) Keiser of Thompson Square, TN; eight grandchildren: Lory Hay, Amy Poe, Marcy Grandia, Jeff Zimmerman, Travis Smith, Steve Smith, Brent Smith and Jill Crane; great grandchildren: Dalton Hay, Jade Hay, Cole Poe, Jake Poe, Rylee Poe, Trenton Grandia, Chase Grandia, Cain Grandia, Summer Smith, Grant Smith and Logan Smith; a daughter-in-law, Judy Smith of New Sharon; special nieces and a nephew that she helped raise: Theresa, Diane and Tom Koeppen; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jack Smith; her second husband, Roger Thornton; two sons, Rodney Smith and Rickey Smith; a daughter, Connie Zimmerman; a granddaughter, Christina Zimmerman; a great granddaughter, Mylee Marie Poe; and two brothers, Ray Koeppen and Glenn Koeppen.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Monday, September 19, 2022 at the Lighthouse Church in New Sharon.
Burial will be held in the Union Mills Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the Lighthouse Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Sharon Fire and Rescue.
Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.
