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Esther Schell Hornbacher, daughter of Gottlieb & Christina (Schlafman) Schell, was born on a farm south of Pickardville, ND, on February 23rd 1925. She grew up around the Pickardville & McClusky area. After graduating from McClusky High School, she worked in Minneapolis while getting treatment for residuals left from having had polio. She returned to the McClusky area and married Willis Hornbacher from Harvey, ND, on May 12, 1946, at the McClusky Baptist Church. Together they had six children. During their years of their marriage, they lived in Harvey, Pickardville, McClusky, Minot and Fargo. Her husband Willis died April 22nd, 1977.
Esther was a kind, witty teacher with a teaching career that spanned from 1943 until her retirement in 1993. Esther had an elementary education major, a special education major in the speech correction area, a Reading specialist certificate and a Masters Degree from NDSU. She started her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Mercer, ND then later taught in a one-room country schoolhouse near McClusky. After moving to Minot, ND, she taught in Des Lacs, ND and the Minot Air Force Base. Esther & Willis moved to Fargo in 1970 where she did substitute teaching until getting a full time teaching position at Washington School in north Fargo. She taught at Washington School until her retirement in 1993 due to health reasons. Even after she retired she continued to volunteer time at Washington School. During her years of teaching she supervised student teachers from Minot State University, Jamestown College, Mayville State University, Moorhead State University and Concordia College. She was loved by her students and her co-workers, many who returned to see her years after having left her classroom.
Esther's greatest pride and joy were her children and her grandchildren. When not teaching or spending time with her family, she was active in her community. She was an active member of Grace Baptist Church; teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School as well as adorning the church's bulletin boards and helping with kitchen activities. She was a life time member of the Minot State College Alumni Association, the Jamestown College Association, the NDSU Alumni Association and the MSU Alumni Association. She belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, The Germans From Russia Heritage Society; the American Legion Auxiliary; The NDEA, the ND PTA Association; the ND Reading Association; the ND Council of Teachers of Mathematics; the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, the Red River Human Services Foundation; the ND Right to Life Association; and the Teacher's Retirement Association. She also edited books for the now deceased Minnesota author, Erling Rolstad.
Up until 1993, when Alzheimer's robbed her of her ability to live independently, she spent her retirement reading, gardening, playing piano and collecting collectibles. When she no longer could live independently due to her illness she entered first an assisted living home and later moved into Bethany Homes where she resided until her death on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at eighty-one years of age. The wonderful care she received from the Bethany staff was and is greatly appreciated!
Preceding her in death are her husband, Willis; her son, Gregory; her parents, Gottlieb & Christina Schell and her brothers, Art, Emil & Paul Schell. She leaves behind her children; Paul (Delgene) Hornbacher, Fargo; Jeanette (Walter) Geiszler, Sioux Fal
Visitation for Esther will be Thursday, January 18, 2007, from 5 - 7 PM, in Mavis Whiting Chapel of Bethany Homes, Fargo.
Her funeral will be Friday, January 19, 2007, at 3 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
A visitation will be held in the McClusky Baptist Church on Saturday, January 20, 2007, from 12 noon to 1 PM, with burial to follow in McClusky Cemetery. There will be a fellowship luncheon at the Baptist church following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family is asking that donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota, 4550 West 77th St, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55435. Or donations may be made to the Pet fund at Bethany Homes, 201 South