- Date Of Birth: February 11, 1933
- Date Of Death: August 14, 2017
- State: New Mexico
Ms. Ester Helmstetler of Roswell NM passed away on August 14, 2017 at the age of 84. Ester was born to Charles Looney and Inez Clinton on February 11, 1933 in Big Springs TX. Both of her parents have preceded her in death.
Born in Texas her family left for New Mexico when she was still a child. Her father was a farm worker and traveled to where the work was. Often times the whole family would help dad by picking cotton in the fields or doing whatever was necessary in order to support the family. Ester saw the example of her parents and their work ethic was ingrained into her nature at a very young age.
In 1950 Ester met and married the love of her life Otis Helmstetler in Roswell NM. Their life together was tragically cut short in 1954 when Otis passed suddenly and Ester found herself a single mom raising two daughters. She worked countless hours to make sure her family would be provided for, with food on the table and a roof over their heads, Ester embodied a strong will of character by always placing her baby’s first. She could easily outwork most men by cutting firewood, raising pigs or working on cars. She wasn’t afraid to get dirty and her own brothers had learned the hard way not to mess with her.
Ester loved to be outdoors and spent some of her free time camping at Baca Camp Grounds or in her garden growing tomatoes and green chiles. She was an amazing cook and was personally responsible for fattening up many guest, friends and family who came over to eat. She was known as Aunt Ester but to her son-in-law she was a second mother. She could be tough as a rattlesnake, she ate like a bird, but her heart was as calm and gentle as a lamb. She was a bible quoting believer who loved the Lord and put her faith in Him.
Ms. Ester Helmstetler is survived by her daughter Dorthy Mulvihill of Roswell NM; sister Arvella Helmstetler of Carlsbad NM; son-in-law Kenneth Beavers of Roswell NM. She is preceded in death by her husband Otis Helmstetler; daughter Alice Beavers; and numerous brothers and sisters.