Esther Woodward
Esther Woodward
Esther Woodward
February 27, 1922 – October 16, 2012
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Esther Woodward, 90, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. Center in Oskaloosa. She was born February 27, 1922, west of Lacey, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Maude Russell Stout. Esther attended school at Lacey and graduated as Salutatorian of the Lacey High School class of 1939. She attended William Penn College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught in the Elm Grove Country School near her family’s farm. On May 28, 1942, she was united in marriage to Franklin Howard Woodward at Lacey, Iowa. Frank died on June 21, 1996. Following their marriage, Esther stayed home to care for her children and help Frank on the farm. She was a very active member of the First Church of the Nazarene, now Gateway Church of the Nazarene, where she taught Sunday school for 38 years and helped with Vacation Bible School for many years. She enjoyed cooking.
She is survived by her three children, Joyce (& Terry) White of St. Joseph, Michigan, Harlan Woodward of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Calvin Woodward of Oskaloosa; two grandchildren, Joel (& Melinda) Woodward and Amy (& Mike) Maudlin all of St. Joseph, Missouri; four great grandchildren, Airman Alex, Courtney, and Reagan Maudlin, and Amanda Woodward; a sister, Beryl Williams of New Sharon; two sisters in law, Bonnie Stout of New Sharon and Shirley Stout of Oskaloosa.
In addition to her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents; a son Merlin Woodward; two brothers, Russell and Darrell Stout; and a sister, Alberta Stout.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa with Reverend David Childers officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Gateway Church of the Nazarene.
