Esther Ausman, 96 of Dell Rapids passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. Her Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016 in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel. Visitation on Friday will be held in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel and will begin at 4:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. On-Line Condolences may be left at Kahler Funeral Home.

Esther Johnson was born on October 14, 1919 at Craig, Iowa, the daughter of Harm and Gertie (Frerichs) Johnson. When she was two, she moved to Dell Rapids with her family. She grew up near Dell Rapids and attended country school. Esther married Henry Ausman on January 12, 1940 in Dell Rapids. They made their home on their farm near Dell Rapids for 42 years. They moved into town in 1979. Henry passed away in 1981. Esther worked at the Odd Fellows Nursing Home for ten years and then, retired. She has been a resident of the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center for ten years.

Esther was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids and Women of ELCA, the Rebekah Lodge, the Hospital Auxiliary, and the Dell Rapids Senior Citizens. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Russell.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Jerry Ausman of Fresno, CA and her grandchildren, Jason Ausman and Julie Stofferahn, and six great-grandchildren.