Esther Martha Herta (nee Welchert) Barjenbruch Rowoldt, 90, formerly of Grand Island, NE, died Saturday, December 3, 2011, at The Monarch in Lincoln, NE. She was born September 4, 1921, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Reverend Hugo C. A. Welchert and Frieda (Kramer) Welchert. Esther was a faithful follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Esther was married to Walter L. Barjenbruch from May 12, 1946, until his death on June 23, 1996. Together, Walt and Esther managed the Schweser’s Women’s Clothing Store in downtown Grand Island, Nebraska for decades, where Esther helped many of their customers select clothing for special events, but particularly enjoyed helping brides choose their gowns and bridesmaid dresses. She loved her regular buying trips to New York City. On May 16, 2002, she married Pastor Walter Rowoldt, a widower and lifelong family friend. They were married until his death on March 23, 2010.
Esther was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan (always hoping they’d make the World Series next year), loved Husker athletics, and could talk sports like a teenage boy. She was beautiful inside and out; had a sweet disposition and was a stylish dresser. She often heard, “I hope I look as good as you do when I am your age!”
Esther is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husbands; sister/spouse Hedwig (Pastor Paul) Moessner; and brothers/spouses Pastor Hugo H.F. (Bea) Welchert and Pastor Werner (Marcella) Welchert.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews: Tom (Carol) Welchert, Nancy (Steve) Meyer, and Dr. Kenneth (Kay) Barjenbruch, all of Omaha; Heidi (Rajan) Rajan, Carbondale, IL; Pastor Paul (Donna) Moessner, Columbia, MO; Marianne (Tracy) Chen, Austin, TX; Stanley Welchert, Murrieta, CA; Alice Welchert, Los Osos, CA; Mary Welchert, Dixon, CA; Carolyn Timmons, New Vernon, New Jersey; many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by Pastor Walt’s family, whom she “adopted” late in life, including his children (spouses): Grace Planalp, Baltimore, MA; Mary (Dr. Max) Martin, Stephen (Debra) Rowoldt, Jim (Kathy) Rowoldt, all of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren: Dana Wilburn, Kelly (Dr. Jeff) Peters; Kara (Chad) Durgin; Judson (Lindsey) Martin; Seth (Laura) Rowoldt; Jayme (Adam) Costenbader; Andrea (Brad) Stiles; and Andrew Rowoldt; ten great grandchildren.
Special friends from Grand Island: Karen and Doug Zink, Emily and Christina.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday (12-9-11) Redeemer Lutheran Church, 530 South 33rd, Lincoln, Nebraska. Pastor Mark Ebert, presiding. Burial Service: 3:00 p.m. Friday at West Lawn Memorial Park, Grand Island, NE.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 530 South 33rd, Lincoln, NE 68510; or Trinity Lutheran Church, 212 West 12th Street, Grand Island, NE 68801.
Visitation: 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday with family greeting friends from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Roper and Sons, 4300 ‘O’ Street and one hour prior to service time at the church.