Esther J. Kummer, 90, died Thursday, October 1, 2020, at her home near Monroe, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be Thursday, October 8 at 10:30 AM, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Brandon Foster officiating. Interment will be in Gruetli Cemetery, rural Monroe. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Thursday at 10:15 AM at the church. Memorials are suggested to Gruetli Cemetery, Prayer Shawl Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, or Trinity Lutheran Church. The funeral service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page.

Esther J. Kummer was born December 22, 1929, in Columbus, Nebraska, to William and Hilda (Schroeder) Benning. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek. Esther graduated from Kramer High School and on September 19, 1951, was united in marriage to Paul J. Kummer at St. John's Lutheran Church. Paul and Esther were grain and beef farmers, living on the farm that had been in the family for over 120 years.

Esther loved to sing, was in the Platte County Extension Club, was a dedicated 4-H leader, and enjoyed playing cards – especially sheepshead, pitch, and pinochle. She raised a large garden, put up chickens, loved traveling and going to the casino, and crocheting. Esther was the secretary/treasurer for the Gruetli Cemetery Association for many years. She was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was very active in Prayer Shawl Ministry. Esther enjoyed spending time with her many friends. Her greatest joy was felt in the presence of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Esther is survived by:
Daughter – Carolyn J. (John) Garbers of Seward, NE
Daughter – Susan J. (John) Morgan of Sutherland, NE
Daughter – Marie J. (Steve) Kayton of Lincoln, NE
Son – Bryce J. Kummer of Columbus, NE
Son – Wayne J. (Denise) Kummer of Columbus, NE
15 Grandchildren
12 Great Grandchildren
Brother-in-law - Don Hoessel of Leigh, NE
Special Friend – Lynn Blaser of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law - Darlyn Spitz of Columbus, NE

Esther was preceded in death by:
Parents – William and Hilda Benning
Husband – Paul J. Kummer
Son – Joel J. Kummer
Great Granddaughter – Charlene Garbers
Sisters – Joyce Benning, Delores Hoessel, and an infant sister

Service Folder Information
Lord, make me an instrument
of Your peace. Where there is
hatred, let me sow love; where
there is injury, pardon; where there
is doubt, faith; where there is despair,
hope; where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek to be
consoled as to console; to be under-
stood as to understand; to be loved
as to love; for it is in giving that we
receive; it is in pardoning that we are
pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life.



In Loving Memory Of

Esther J. Kummer

Born
Sunday, December 22, 1929
Columbus, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Thursday, October 8, 2020 10:30 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Brandon Foster

Music
Ann Cattau – Organist
"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
"Nearer My God To Thee"
"How Great Thou Art"

Casket Bearers
Jeremy Garbers
Matthew Garbers
Lucas Garbers
Jackson Kummer
Timothy Kummer
Bruce Kummer
Bryan Kummer
Thomas Kayton
Amanda Morgan
Nick Wacha

Interment
Gruetli Cemetery
Duncan, Nebraska