Esther Rose Rodden

"For nothing will be impossible with God" ~Luke 1:37, Esther lived every day of her life with this bible verse in mind. Esther Rose Rodden was a beloved, devoted Pentecostal Christian. She was born on November 27, 1925, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to parents Pearl Frances Cornett and Frank Nickel. She was the 12th out of 14 siblings. Esther lived a long and beautiful life, passing at the age of 97 on February 4, 2023, with her family by her side. She was loved by so many. She was married to departed "Rocky" Paul Rodden. They shared five children, Pauletta Yagen, departed Donald Rodden, David Rodden, Deanna Rodriquez, and departed "Patty" Patricia Rodden. Their spouses, William Yagen, Leah Rodden, Ruben Rodriguez, and departed Jose Rivas, loved Esther as their own mother. Esther played a role in raising her 11 grandchildren Joel Saunders, Sereena Yagen Delacuesta, Paul Yagen, Patrice Yagen-Estes, Daverena Rodden, Trisha Sparks, Paul Rodden, Montana Rodden, Patricia Elness, Vincent Rodriquez, and Trina Aguirre. Esther was loved and adored by their significant others, Cease Delacuesta, Celine Butac, Tony Estes, Richard Sparks, Josh Elness, and Mike Aguirre. Esther was proud of her 22 great-grandchildren Kayleeya, Kaylin, Kaycee, Isaac, Mathew, Stella, Ayden, Cierra, Zakery, Braden, Hailey, Paisley, Coen, Andrew, Alyse, Elijah, Ariana, Leandro, Bo, Briona, Adrina and Ariel.

Esther embodied unwavering faith, humility, compassion, kindness, and unconditional love for her family, as well as a great sense of humor. Esther was a sight to see from her younger years to the last day of her life. She had the most beautiful bright blue eyes, perfect olive skin, and a lovely warm smile. She took pride in her appearance by always having her hair, makeup, and nails done. She was affectionately known as our fancy-on-a-budget grandma. She was frugal, thrifty, and a bargain hunter. She enjoyed shopping for hours in secondhand stores or browsing the aisle at discount stores. She survived the great depression and learned the value of a dollar or a penny, as she would say. She was a strong and witty lady who always had a unique way of brightening someone's day. She enjoyed gifting her secondhand treasures, the perfect gift wrapped with love inside of foil. She also loved to make her particular fruit-filled Jell-O topped with cool-whip and crushed walnuts, banana nut bread baked with ripe bananas and walnuts, tuna-fish patties, and her mouth-watering roast beef crunchy tacos with a chunk of cheese to serve to her loved ones. When Esther was a young adult, she worked in an ice cream parlor. She took pride in making her scoops extra big to ensure the customers received the best deal for their money. She also enjoyed working as a photographer snapping pictures at Smile A Minute Studio where she met the love of her life, her husband, Rocky.

Esther was a caretaker her entire life. She volunteered in her church's nursery and cared for the babies. She would not hesitate to pack her overnight bag to stay over at her family member's houses whenever they needed her help. She was known as the sweet Ol' lady in her apartment complex, where she lived independently for over 60 years. She was very thoughtful and giving. She often fed her neighbors and provided clothes, shoes, toys, or household items to those in need. Although, she lived on a fixed income, she faithfully sent her 10% tithes to the church and frequently donated to charities.

Throughout her 97 years, she saw beauty all around her. She never failed to notice and call out the ray of light peeking through the clouds on a rainy day, the shiny silver car zooming past on the highway, the specialness of a baby or small animal, and the kindness of a stranger who graced her presence. She made the most of her days here by appreciating the small things in life. She said she didn't give gifts on Christmas because she believed in giving gifts all year long. She took pride in preaching God's word and bringing people closer to God. She was an unforgettable woman to everyone who crossed her path. To know Esther was to know the feeling of pure love and the grace of God.

Esther was a special kind and loving lady. Her positive outlook, generous spirit, and kind heart left an impression wherever she went. She will be greatly missed. Her memories and kind spirit will live on through her family and loved ones. Esther would want everyone to be at peace with her passing because she is resting in heaven with Jesus, whom she often referred to as her husband. She was ready to move on from this world. In her honor, she would want everyone to have peace in their hearts and to be kind to one another.

Everyone who knew and loved Esther are welcomed to attend her Celebration of life on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

10:15 am private viewing and 11:00 am prayer service to start at Lombard Funeral Home located at 1550 Fulton Ave., Sacramento, CA 95825, 1pm Burial and Blessing at Camelia Cemetery located at 10221 Jackson Rd. Sacramento, CA 95827, 2-3:30 pm Reception at Capital Christian Center located at 9470 Micron Ave. Sacramento, CA 95827.

Please send floral arrangements to Lombard Funeral Home 1550 Fulton Ave. Sacramento CA 95825.