Esther was born on July 31, 1919, in Chester Township, near Grinnell, Iowa to Christopher and Agnetta Christianson Iverson. She attended rural school in Poweshiek County and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1937. Following her normal training she taught in rural schools in Poweshiek County. She also was employed at the Grinnell Shoe Company, the Macaroni Factory in Lebanon, PA and Laurel Co-op. She was confirmed on November 2, 1949 at St. John Lutheran Church in State Center.
On January 10, 1943, she was married to John C. Bennett at her parent's home near Grinnell. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm near Grinnell, State Center and Kellogg before moving to their farm north of Laurel in 1964.
Esther was a member of the Elim Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and assisted with bible school. She enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, and making quilts for babies.
Survivors include her children, Daryl (Pauline) Bennett of Laurel, Carolyn (Dennis) Allen of Anchorage, Alaska and Marlene (Gary) Englin of Audubon; eight grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one grandson, Daniel Allen; one brother, Arthur Iverson; and one sister, Stella Johnson.
Memorials may be directed to the Elim Lutheran Church of Marshalltown or to the Amenity Hospice of Cedar Rapids and may be sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.
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