Esther R. Ward

Esther R. Ward, born July 19, 1931 said her final goodbye to her family on March 30, 2015. She was a mother to Kimberly (Ward) Fountain and Christina (Ward) Simmons. Esther grew up in the small town of Virginia City and later in Lewiston, where she graduated from high school. Jobs and her girlfriend lead her to the big city of Lincoln where she met her husband, Billie E. Ward; they were married December 3, 1955, unto them, three children were born. She went peacefully surrounded by her daughter Kimberly and four of her eight grandchildren. She was deeply loved by her girls and grandchildren and will be missed by all. Survivors include her oldest daughter, Kimberly (Richard W.) Fountain; and daughter, Christina (Norman D.) Simmons; eight grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Lorin Schmidt of Tecumseh; Marvin Schmidt of England and Florida and Richard Schmidt of Fairmont, NE; as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Grace Schmidt; her husband of 56 years, Billie E. Ward, and baby son, Steven B. Ward. A Celebration of Esther’s Life will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday April 4, 2015 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorials in her memory may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the American Heart Association.