Esther Paulus

Hastings resident, Esther Paulus, 88, of The Hastings Homestead, died Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at The Hastings Homestead.

Services will be Monday, July 20, 2009; 11:00 A.M. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Alan Davis and Rev. Dr. Sam Rathod officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Trumbull, Nebraska. Visitation will be Saturday, July 18, 2009; 1:00 P.M.- 9:00 P.M. & Sunday, July 19, 2009; 1:00 P.M.- 9:00 P.M. at the funeral home and Monday, July 20, 2009; 1 hour prior to service at the church. Memorials may be given to Habitat for Humanity, PKD Foundation or First United Methodist Church.

Esther was born June 6, 1921 to Walter R. & Martha M. (Knosp) Stimpert in Lisco, Nebraska. She attended elementary school in Trumbull and a 1- room country school near Doniphan and graduated from Trumbull High School. She attended Grand Island Business College. On May 24, 1942, Esther married her husband of 67 years, Frederick Paulus. Esther and Frederick moved to a farm near Trumbull where she was a homemaker and active in the farming operations. She was a very active member of the Methodist church in Trumbull where she sang in the church choir and served in the United Methodist Women's group for many years. She held several United Methodist Women's district offices and was president for 2 years. As president, she sat on the Epworth Village Board of Directors in York, Nebraska. Esther and Frederick volunteered for mission work in Mexico and Uruguay. In 1995, Esther and Frederick moved to Hastings and are currently members of First United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Paulus was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Raymond.

Survivors include:
Husband: Frederick Paulus - Hastings, NE
Daughters & Sons-in-law: Carol Chase - Lake Wylie, SC
Karen Reese & Ed Reiffer - Lincoln, NE
Deanna & Rick Hartung - Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren & Spouses: Natalie & David Erb - Atlanta, GA
Scott Chase - Nashville, TN
Justin Reese - Boulder, CO
Brendan Reese - Austin, TX
Ryan & Elizabeth Hartung - Tucson, AZ
Kyle & Susan Hartung - Cleveland, OH
Great Grandchildren: 4 and one nephew