Irene Alice Esteraich

Irene Esteraich, Omaha, 80 OMAHA — Irene A. Esteraich, 80, of Omaha died Sunday, February 3, 2005, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. She was born May 10th, 1927, in Wilber to Frank and Emily (Novak) Zajicek. On March 12th, 1950, she married Byron Esteraich in Wilber. Survivors include her son, Chuck of Scottsdale, Ariz.; daughters, Lori Pirnie and Jan Esteraich, both of Omaha; and sister, Mary Ann Kastanek of Crete. Additional survivors include her brother-in-law, Bob Kastanek of Crete, sister-in-law, Helen Zajicek of Lincoln; Brother and sister-in-law Rudy and Delma Freeouf of Crete, sister-in-law Olga Vokoun of Crete, sister-in-law Carolyn Esteraich of Lincoln, daughter-in-law, Betty Esteraich of Scottsdale, son-in-law, Mitch Pirnie of Omaha, grandchildren, Amy Mahoney and husband, Darin, of Columbus, Jody Lieske and husband, Shon, of Kearney, Rocky of Kearney, Ian of Phoenix, Katelyn Pirnie of Kansas City, and Rob and Michael Pirnie, of Omaha; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Brock, and Bo Mahoney of Columbus, and Elly Anna Lieske of Kearney. She graduated from Wilber High School in 1945. After high school she worked for the Saline County Superintendent and Treasurer. In 1950, she and her husband moved to the Lexington area where she raised her four children, helped her husband with the farm and feedlot, and was a very involved member in her community. She and her husband retired in 1991, when they moved to Johnson Lake. She was always an active, creative woman. She was a founding member of Grace Lutheran Church, a 4-H club leader, an Extension Club member, a member of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association – Women’s Group, and an owner of a Merle Norman Cosmetic Store. She was a dedicated homemaker as well as a volunteer for numerous organizations. Her creative flair included embroidery, sewing, crocheting, and numerous crafts, including the Christmas ornaments that still decorate the Grace Lutheran Church tree. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a smart way about her. She and her husband loved to travel and enjoyed “Dance Club” when they were younger. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cards with her friends and family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and will be missed tremendously. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Paul in 1997, and her husband in 2005. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Lutheran Church or the Johnson Lake EMS. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 7, 2008, at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington with the Rev. Megan Morrow officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington. Visitation will be Wednesday February 6, 2008, from 4-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church or Johnson Lake EMS. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.