FALL RIVER—Esther L. Gaumitz age 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2014 with her daughters by her side at The Meadows in Fall River. She was born at home on August 15, 1928 in the Town of Otsego and was the last surviving child of Oluf and Ida (Semonson) Staveness. Living with a local family, she graduated from Columbus High School in 1947. Esther was employed at the Milwaukee Telephone Company and at the Lutheran Children's Friendship Society. She earned an associate degree in accounting from MATC. Esther met Wilmer F. "Bill" Gaumitz at a Groundhogs Day dance in Doylestown. They were joined in marriage at Bonnet Prairie Lutheran Church, Rio on May 28, 1955. Once settled on their farmette, Esther tended a small flock of sheep that at one time grew to more than a hundred. She became a secretary for Dakota Bake-N-Serve and later an account specialist for Fall River Credit Union.
Esther especially enjoyed being the coordinator of the Fun Timers, a member of Faith Lutheran Church, and a proud volunteer for Columbus Community Hospital. Survivors include her daughters, Terri Cook of Waupaca; Linda (Raymond) Kan of Fort Atkinson; Lorraine (John) Nussbaum of Wendell NC; Ida Gaumitz of Mesa AZ; six grandchildren; Stephen (Kaycee) Cook and Scott Cook both of Waupaca, Amy (Matt) Lott of Henrico VA; Elliot (Nicole) Kan of Janesville; Brian (Maranda) Nussbaum of Morrisville NC; and Avery Kan of Milwaukee; seven great grandchildren; a sister in-law, Clarice Miller of Beaver Dam; a special nephew, Edward Staveness along with many other nieces and nephews. She preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer in 1993; her seven siblings and their spouses: Olga (John) Moosburger, Obert (Cecelia), Alice, Irene (Woodrow) Mielke, Eleanor, Adeline (Norman) Reierson, and Selma (Roy) Stilson; son-in-law, James Cook and granddaughter KiKi Kan. Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 19, 2014 at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, Columbus. Rev. Lisa Nelson and Sandra Schieble officiated. Interment was in Bonnet Prairie Cemetery, Rio. Visitation was from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the funeral home, and from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service at the church on Friday. Memorials may be directed to Hillside Hospice, Faith Lutheran Church or the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation. The family sends sincere thanks for all the love and care extended to Esther by the staff and residents at The Meadows, Hospice nurses Patti DeVries and Shelly Mussehl, Dr's Rolf and Sam Poser for their dedicated comfort and support, and the many family and friends whose visits meant so much.