Esther Lavina Gimbel

Esther Gimbel, 92, died at Tender Nest Assisted Living on Aug. 15, 2015.

She was born on July 27, 1923, in Ashley, N.D., the daughter of John and Bertha Herman. In 1939, Esther's family moved to Montana to work in the beet fields. During WWII, Esther worked at Goodies Spud Chips plant. When Goodies closed, she was employed for 60 years by the Clark Pierce family as their housekeeper, a position she thoroughly enjoyed.

Esther married August Gimbel on March 4, 1945, in Billings. They were not blessed with any children; however, Esther loved and helped care for many nieces and nephews.

Esther loved to dance and could dance the "fast" polka like nobody's business and waltz like an angel. She loved her jewelry and getting dressed up to go dancing. She always drove a Cadillac car and enjoyed heading out to Reno, Jackpot or Vegas to play the slot machines.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church for almost 50 years, where she sang in the choir. Most recently, she was a member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church.

Esther is survived by one sister, Marcella Kuhn; one brother, Robert Herman; her sister-in-law, Gladys Herman; and 13 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gus; parents, John and Bertha; her brothers, Pete and Ervin; and her sisters, Shirley Keller and Violet Batt.

Visitation will be 5-8pm Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, both at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., with interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be sent to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 409 36th St. S., Billings, MT 59101, or a charity of your choice.