Esther S. Gruneich 99, of Sioux Falls, SD, died peacefully November 3, 2016 at Sanford Hospice Foundation Cottage. A Service of Celebration and Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, Sioux Falls, SD with a private family committal at Hills of Rest Cemetery. On-line condolences may be left at the Miller Funeral Home website.

Esther was born December 19, 1916 to Jacob and Susanna (Schmidt) Schindler on the family farm near McClusky, ND. She graduated from McClusky High School in 1934 and earned an elementary education certificate from Ellendale Teachers College. She was united in marriage to Rev. Solomon G. Gruneich of Kulm, ND, on May 26, 1940 in McClusky, ND. They were married for 69 years. In 1942, Esther and Solomon both entered Evangelical (Garrett) Theological Seminary in Naperville, IL where Esther earned a Christian Education Certificate, at a time when it was unusual for women to attend seminary. During WWII Esther worked in the Buick defense plant testing airplane engines.

Grateful for having shared the gift of Esther’s life are her daughter Marilyn (Tom) Gannon of Sioux Falls, son Rev. Stanley (Lonnie) Gruneich of Dell Rapids, daughter Margaret (Jim) Erick of Sioux Falls; grandchildren Jason (Mae) Gruneich, Sioux Falls, Joel (Pheonix) Gruneich, Gardnerville, NV, Nick (Kelley) Gruneich, Dell Rapids, Dan Erick and Jorina (Jason) Kruse, all of Sioux Falls; great-grandchildren Alison Rolof, Richmond, TX , Dominick Gruneich, Gardnerville, NV, Olivia, Emma, and Evan Gruneich, Dell Rapids; Owen and Jake Kruse, Sioux Falls, and many other relatives and a host of dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, Esther’s family would appreciate memorials to “Living Waters for the World” ministry, www.livingwatersfortheworld.org, or a local ministry of your choice.