Esther Redekop

Esther Irene Redekop was born on February 3, 1924 to Carl W. R. and Kathryn (Penner) Radtke in Carson Township, Cottonwood County, MN. She grew up in the Butterfield, MN area. She attended country school and Mountain Lake High School. Esther was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church and as an adult upon her confession of faith at North Butterfield Mennonite Church. Esther married Willard P. Rahn on October 2, 1942 at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mt. Lake. Three children were born to that union: Delphe, Larry, and Roger. Willard and Esther were working on the family farm when he died of polio on August 24, 1947. She married Jacob K. Redekop on November 27, 1958 at Bethel Mennonite Church. Jacob passed away on July 20, 1980. During her life, Esther worked at Ralph's Super Value and as a Nurses' Aide at Bethel Hospital. She also worked as a secretary at Mennonite Mutual Insurance Agency and later as Meal site Coordinator for Western Community Action. A longtime member of Bethel Mennonite Church, Esther taught Sunday school, enjoyed Mission Society, and cut and sewed many quilt tops for missions. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, and teaching her grandchildren how to spell while playing Scrabble with them. She shared her laughter and positive attitude with everyone she met. Esther Redekop is survived by her children: Delphe (Khaled) Othman, Riverside, CA, and Roger (Carla) Rahn, Mt. Lake, step-children: Dr. Calvin Redekop, Harrisonburg, VA, Dr. Jacob (Judith) Redekop Tucson, AZ, Bertha (Loyal) Klassen, and Ella Harder both of Mt. Lake, sister, Lorraine Adrian, Mt. Lake, brother, Dr. Robert Radtke, Fresno, CA, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son, Larry Rahn, grandson, Wayne Rahn, and brothers: Edward and Gary Radtke. Donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). On the memo line write: In Memory of Esther Redekop and mail to: the funeral home: PO Box 492 Mountain Lake, MN 56159 or C/O Vernon Goering 914 N. 11th St Mountain Lake, MN 56159 First Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, November 7, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Friday, November 8, 2013 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:30 am Friday, November 8, 2013 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159