Esther C. Wagner

Obituary

Esther Christensen Wagner was born on the family’s farm in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927, to Ellis and Christine (Olesen) Christensen. She was baptized at home, and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She attended country school before transferring to Hutchinson High School and graduating in 1945.

Esther married Wesley Fredrick Wagner on September 19, 1948, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. They were blessed with a daughter, Debra. Esther and Wes were married 54 years before Wes passed away in 2003 from cancer.

In 1963, Esther and Wesley opened Wagner Bernina Sales and Service in their home in Hutchinson. As their business expanded, they opened a fabric store in the Mall in Hutchinson, and in 1985, they opened a second Bernina store in Willmar, Minnesota. They also owned and operated the Yamaha Motorcycles and Snowmobiles shop in Hutchinson, until 1988.

Esther and Wesley were charter members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Both were active in church committees, Sunday school, and Bible Studies.

Esther enjoyed sewing, teaching, cooking and family parties. She taught sewing locally, beginning with lingerie sewing lessons in the basement of her home. Esther also taught machine embroidery nationally through LuRae’s Embroidery School of Salt Lake, Utah. Her embroidery appeared in numerous magazines including Better Homes and Gardens Craft Magazine. Esther won numerous national and international accolades and awards for her embroidery and quilting. Her “Gone with the Wind” embroidered quilt block was chosen to be included in Sterns and Foster’s Movie quilt contest. Esther’s full-size quilt of machine techniques was purchased by Bernina International of Switzerland to display in their offices.

Away from work, Esther was always looking for new recipes to try, and collected thousands of recipes and cookbooks. As her collection grew, she taught herself Word/ Excel computer programs to keep them organized. In the 1990’s, Esther self-published three cookbooks to share her favorite recipes with her family and friends. As she approached retirement, Esther collected Barbie dolls and began sewing dresses for Barbie. She loved the creativity of stitching the tiny dress and sold approximately 300 dresses on Ebay.

Esther passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Meeker Manor in Litchfield, Minnesota, at the age of 97.

Blessed be her memory.

Esther is survived by her Daughter, Debra of Cosmos and many nieces and nephews.

Eshter was preceded in death by her Husband, Wesley Wagner; Parents, Ellis and Stena Christensen; Sister, Helen in childhood; Sisters and Brothers-in-law, Hazel Schmandt and her husband, Harold, Evangeline Christensen, Grace Horky and her husband, Benjamin; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Lloyd Christensen and his wife, Irene, Russell Christensen and his wife, Irene.