Esther Loretta Hemming

Esther Loretta Hemming, 80, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Esther was born on Sept. 14, 1937, in Regan, North Dakota, to Edward and Lillian (Hochhalter) Schafer. She grew up in the Regan and Bismarck, North Dakota area, and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1956.

She married her loving husband, Harold Hemming, on Feb. 6, 1960, in Mandan, North Dakota. From this marriage, three children were born: Rickey, Bryon and Brenda. Due to Harold's trucking career, the family moved multiple times and eventually settled down in Billings. This is where she worked in retail for many of years and had a very strong presence at both Woolworth and Walmart. She worked at Walmart for over 15 years before retiring in 2017.

Esther was always willing to help others in need and never turned away the neighborhood children in her home while continuing to raise her own.

Esther has many hobbies, including playing keno with her best friend (Alice), collecting teapots, traveling with family, going to the races, eating sweets (especially donuts) and spending time with her grandchildren. She always loved spending time with her cat, Tigger. She leaves behind many loved ones and close friends. Her feisty attitude made her who she was and will be greatly missed by everyone.

Esther is survived by her children, Rickey, Bryon (Stacey), and Brenda (Brad) Ostermiller-James; grandchildren Rickey Jr. (Jocelyn) Hemming, Bryon Hemming, Whittney (Tyler) Ostermiller-Osborne, Cassie (Chris) Johnson, Tyler and Zach Hemming; great-grandchild Maddex Hemming; sibling Marj (Butch) Konschack.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, father Edward, mother Lillian, siblings Bud and Alvina, and granddaughter Faith Nicole Ostermiller.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave.