Esther S. Schwenke

Esther Schlottmann Schwenke entered into the eternal presence of her Lord and Savior on August 18, 2018, surrounded by her daughters and son-in-law after a brief illness. She was born July 1, 1927 at Prairie Hill, Washington County, Texas. She was raised on the family farm at Prairie Hill by her parents, Otto and Lonie (Roesler) Schlottmann. Her family consisted of German immigrants who came to the area before the Civil War. Esther was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prairie Hill, Texas. As a young girl she enjoyed playing sports with all her friends and helping her family raise cotton. After graduating from Brenham High School and Blynn Junior College she attended the Seton School of Nursing in Austin, Texas, graduating in 1949. Following graduation she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. It was while working at St. Joseph’s that she met James Schwenke who had served in the Pacific in the U.S. Navy. Esther and James were married on December 12, 1953. They were married for 49 years before James passed in December, 2002.

Esther and James lived in Yoakum before moving to Austin, Texas. She later moved to Dallas, Texas to live with her daughter Sharon. Esther worked at the “old” Seton Hospital and the “new” Seton Medical Center devoting over 30 years of her life to expectant mothers in the Labor and Delivery department of Seton. In recognition of her ability she was promoted to head nurse of L&D which she served with capability, integrity and courteousness. To fulfill the requirements of that position she returned to school and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Edwards University in August of 1976. After many years of dedicated service she retired from nursing in December, 1990.

While living in Austin, she was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and finally Bethany Lutheran Church. She was an active member at each church, serving her church family through the St. Stephens ministry in later years.

Esther is survived by her two daughters, Sharon Sommerfeldt, and husband Craig, and Susan Palmer; her beloved grandson, James-Douglas Buck Palmer, and fiancé Nicole Barnes; and her two nephews, Allan Anderson, and wife Kay, and Gary Anderson, and wife Kim; and numerous friends. The family expresses their deepest appreciation for the care provided to Esther by her daughter Sharon and the staff of VITAS Hospice of Dallas.

Graveside service will be Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:30 am at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Esther S. Schwenke to the Seton Nurse Scholarship Endowment, 1201 West 38th Street, Austin, Texas 78705; Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, Texas 78749; or the Hospice of your choice.