Esther Marie Thompson, the daughter of Lester and Opal (Sanders) Thompson, was born March 24, 1949. She graduated from Montezuma High School in 1967. Esther then attended Thompson Beauty School in Des Moines.

On June 19, 1970, Esther was united in marriage to Chuck Van Zante, at the Third Reformed Church. To this union, a daughter Holly Marie and a son Joel Lee were born. Esther first worked at Tulip City Beauty Shop. She then stayed home after having her children. Later, she worked at a salon in Fair Haven for 26 years and  cut lace for Heritage Lace. She was forced to retire from her jobs due to her Multiple Sclerosis.

Esther enjoyed being very involved with her grandkids, games on her iPad, dinner with friends, martinis, March Madness, gatherings with all their good friends, and delighted in her great grandchildren. Tulip Time was one of her favorite times of the year. She would invite many people into her home. Esther didn't know a stranger, had many friends and was a joy to be with.

Esther passed away suddenly from complications of pneumonia on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Pella Regional Health Center, surrounded by her family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Chuck and their family . . .

Holly Brandt of Pella, Iowa

Sage and Bailee Brandt

Dalyn, Kendall

Schaeffer and Mike Simmons

Ella

Tatum Brandt

McCaffrey Brandt

Joel and Jessica Van Zante of Olathe, Kansas

Gavin Van Zante

Vera Van Zante

Esther is also survived by her sisters: Gerri (Don) Malcolm of Oskaloosa, Mary (Junior) Simpson of Montezuma, her brother Raymond (Connie) Thompson of Montezuma, and many nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents Lester and Opal Thompson, and her parents-in-law Lawrence and Margaret Van Zante.

Third Church - Benevolent Fund
Pella IA