Obituary of Esther Drake Lincoln

Esther Hemsted Lincoln passed away April 23, 2012. She was born to Ernest and Emma Drake on January 4, 1916, in Tiffin, Iowa; the third of four children. She grew up in the Tiffin area, going to country school through 6th grade, then Tiffin school through 11th where she was on the girls' basketball team and then transferred to University High where she graduated from in 1934. In 1937, she married Raymond Hemsted and they raised three children together; Delores Hemsted Reynolds, Ronald Hemsted and Richard Hemsted. They made their home on a farm near Lone Tree. Ray was employed as an automobile mechanic at U Smash Em, I fix Em in Iowa City. Esther did much of the farm work, tending garden, preparing family meals, canning and freezing as well as tending to the farm animals. When Ray retired, they enjoyed vacationing in Mission, Texas in the winter months. Ray passed away in 1984. She was also preceded in death by her two sons; Richard D. and Ronald G. Hemsted who each lost the battle with cancer. She later joined the Iowa City Eagles Lodge where she met Wilbur Lincoln. They were married January 25, 1990, and lived in Lone Tree until retiring when they moved to Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa. They also enjoyed wintering in Mission, Texas. Wilbur preceded Esther in death in 2009, after his battle with cancer. Esther's family includes her daughter; Delores (Hemsted) Reynolds who lives in Colorado Springs, CO and daughter-in-law, Evelyn Hemsted; 7 grandchildren, Jason Hemsted, Emily (Hemsted) Mart, David Hemsted, Karen Hemsted, Julie (Reynolds) Parker, Margie (Reynolds) Rose and Jeffrey Reynolds; 15 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren and 4 step-great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Jerry Gingerich, Judy (Gingerich) Smith, Walter Lamb and Shirley (Lamb) Reis and cousin, Bill Ackerman. Esther was a home maker and also worked 20 years at the Lone Tree School in the cafeteria. She was a longtime member of the Eagles, American Legion Auxiliary, Freemont Homemakers and was also a 50 plus-year member and past president of the Rebekah Lodge. Over the years she has enjoyed a variety of activities including dancing at the Eagles, traveling in their camper, playing euchre card games with friends. She traveled to Alaska, took a cruise to the Bahamas and other sight-seeing trips. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She will be fondly remembered for the pies she brought to events at the Eagles Club. Her family would like to thank Atrium Village Nursing Care Center for the wonderful care she has received. Services celebrating Esther's life will begin at 11 am Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Visitation will be Saturday prior to the service from 9:30 – 11 am. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Eagles Lodge to help with development of the Eagles Diabetes Research Center. Online condolences may be sent to Esther's family through the web @www.gayandciha.com.