Funeral services for Esther Mehlhaff, age 94, of Mobridge will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Family Worship Center. Interment will be 1:00 PM MT Tuesday, January 24, 2017 in Black Hills National Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, January 20, 2017 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Kesling Funeral Home. Esther passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Golden Living Center in Mobridge.

Esther was born on March 25, 1922 to Jacob W. and Magdalena (Haidle) Stotz in Lowry, South Dakota at her parents' home. She grew up near McLaughlin, South Dakota and attended Cadillac County Grade School and McLaughlin High School. She met Chris Mehlhaff and they were married on August 31, 1944 at the Congregational Church in McLaughlin. They lived in California until Chris was honorably discharged from the army, then moved to the family farm northwest of Trail City, South Dakota in November of 1945. Esther remained on the farm until 2001 when she moved to the Mobridge Prairie Sunset Village and later the Golden Living Center.

Esther was a very generous, loving and Godly woman. Family was very important to her, and she always put them and others before herself. She enjoyed cooking and prepared many wonderful meals for family and friends. Her family will always remember her delicious apple pie, baked rice, dumplings and kuchen.

Esther had a passion and love for music. She attended Moody Bible Institute to expand her knowledge of music. Not only was she an organist and pianist at the churches she attended, she was also involved in the women's group and she also taught Sunday School for many years until she felt it was time for the younger generation to get involved. She passed her love for music on to the younger generation by giving piano lessons to her children, grandchildren and to many of the neighbor's children. Esther entertained/serenaded residents in the Prairie Sunset Village and the Golden Living Center until Alzheimer's took her ability to play. She was still able to carry the tune to many hymns, even when no words could be said.
Thankful for a Godly heritage and Grateful for having shared her life, she is survived by her children; Larry (Diane) Mehlhaff of Trail City, South Dakota; David Mehlhaff of Boise, Idaho; Daughter-in Law Claudia Mehlhaff of Boise, Idaho and Lavonne (Ronald) Walker of McLaughlin, South Dakota; 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, parents and all her brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to Sunshine Bible Academy.