Esther Ruth Den Hartog, the second daughter of William C. and Cora (Vande Krol) Den Hartog, was born May 29, 1927, at her parents' home in the Lower Grove vicinity near Peoria, Iowa. The doctor from New Sharon attended the birth. As a child she enjoyed playing "farm" in the sand pile with her younger brother beneath two huge oak trees (still standing), and hoped that one day she might be a farmer's wife. She attended the Cherry Grove one-room country school through the eighth grade. Although her family regularly attended Third Reformed Church in Pella, they often attended the Lower Grove Church in the evenings and also when bad weather or muddy roads prevented them from getting into town. When she was a teenager Esther considered it a privilege to cook for and sit at the same table with Ezra Temple, a well-known traveling evangelist of the day (the "Tramp Preacher") who was staying with her uncle while he helped write the preacher's life story.

After her father passed away (on her mother's birthday) in March 1944, Esther moved with her mother, sister, and brother to Pella. Besides babysitting for neighbors, Esther worked for one season at the Pella tomato canning factory and sorted corn for Frundt's Seed. For about five years she was employed at Rolscreen Company (now Pella Corp) during which time she was honored to ride the company's float in the Tulip Time parade in 1951.

On September 24, 1952, she was united in marriage at her home to Abe J. Nunnikhoven (yes, she married a farmer!) after he returned from serving overseas in the Korean War. The following spring they moved to the farm southeast of Pella where they lived over forty years, raising their four children: Charlene, twins Lavonne and Laverne, and Doyle. Esther lived a life of contentment on the farm. She was a loving, selfless, and devoted wife and mother who, alongside her husband and children, was actively involved with all aspects of the farm work, including tending a large garden each year.

After retiring and moving closer to town, Esther and Abe were able to travel more, spending several winters in Arizona where they especially enjoyed the beauty of blooming cactus, scenic mountain hikes, and Esther delighted in oil painting classes. Esther and Abe were longtime members of Third Reformed Church until they became charter members of Heartland Reformed Church where Esther was a member of Willing Workers and Dorcas Ladies Bible Study. After her husband's death in 2012 Esther continued to live at home until moving to assisted living in 2021. She completed her earthly journey and went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 19, 2024.

She leaves behind her children: Charlene Verkade of Ames, Lavonne (John) Wright of Knoxville, Laverne Nunnikhoven of Pella, and Doyle Nunnikhoven of Pella; her grandchildren: Tricia Wright, and Kristen (Brad) Happ; two great grandchildren: Weston and Olivia Happ; her brother Cornie Den Hartog; and six nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law Anna Bell and Marvin De Zwarte; sister-in-law Helen (Cornie) Den Hartog; and son-in-law John Verkade.

Survivors on her husband's side of the family include brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dorothy (the late Wilbur) Nunnikhoven of Pella, Anthony Jr. and JoAnn Nunnikhoven of Waukee, Gerald Nunnikhoven and friend Betty of Pella, and Merle and Erma Nunnikhoven of Pella; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law Bertha and Anthony Nunnikhoven, Sr.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Martin and Leona Nunnikhoven, Marvin and Dorothy Nunnikhoven, Wilbur Nunnikhoven, Bertha (Anthony Jr.) Nunnikhoven, and Delores (Gerald) Nunnikhoven.

Heartland Reformed Church

The Well
Pella IA
Web: https://thewelliowa.org/donate/