Esther M. Depue

Grand Island, Esther Marie Depue, 94, died on September 19, 2018.



A celebration of Esther’s life will be held at First Christian Church in Grand Island on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 11:00 AM with luncheon to follow. A burial service will be held at a later date in Anaheim, California. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family,



Esther was the 2nd of 9 children of William Bokelman and Marie Poppe Bokelman. She was born on September 18, 1924 on the family farm, near Monroe, Nebraska. Before her 2nd birthday, the family moved to a farm near Garrison, Nebraska. She graduated from David City High School in 1942. Esther attended Midland College in Fremont, NE and, the University of Colorado. After college she taught country school in Garrison for 3 years.



Esther then moved to Washington DC where she worked at the FBI as a secretary in J. Edgar Hoover’s office before she then transferred to the FBI office in San Diego. In 1948 she met the love of her life, Stan Depue, at Grace Lutheran Church in San Diego. They were married on August 17, 1952 at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Rising City. They initially lived in Brock and Hordville Nebraska, where Stan served as superintendent, before moving to Anaheim, CA in 1957. They lived in the same house and attended Zion Lutheran Church in Anaheim for 58 years. Esther was a homemaker for several years. While Stan worked long hours teaching, coaching and as a school administrator, she ran the household, made sure we never (and I mean NEVER) missed a church service or activity at Zion and kept her children (primarily Ronnie) in line until Stan got home. She later worked as an elementary school secretary for several years. After Stan died following a brief illness in 2015, Esther moved to Grand Island to be near her son, Ron, and his family.



Esther had firm convictions and priorities. Her life was centered on her Christian faith and family, with Republican politics not far behind. She served Zion as cub scout den mother, girl scout leader, Sunday school teacher and on numerous church and Republican committees and had Ron and Susan walking election precincts at an early age.



Esther is survived by her son, Ron Depue (and Lori); grandchildren Emily Abeel (and Taylor), Jeff Depue (and Jena), Tim Depue and Jonathan Fields, 3 great grandchildren, Paige Abeel, Nora Depue and Owen Abeel, and siblings Lola Leggett, William Bokelman, Max Bokelman and Herm Bokelman.



She was preceded in death by her parents, Stan, her husband of 63 years, daughter, Susan Depue Fields, and siblings, Elinor Wolff, Norman Bokelman, Leonard Bokelman, and Ken Bokelman.