She was born May 22, 1931 to Peter and Lavina (Carter) Kopke at rural Gresham. Esther taught country school in rural Gresham from the fall of 1948 until May of 1955. She was united in marriage to Anthony “Tony” J. Winter Jr. on Sept. 17, 1955 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in York. Together, Esther and Tony farmed for a living.
Esther was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, York, where she was a member of the Altar Society. She was also a member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed card club with her husband, and friends playing 10-point pitch. She enjoyed following Kansas City Royals Baseball, as well as Nebraska football, volleyball and baseball. She was a conversationalist and enjoyed gardening. She loved following her grandchildren’s sporting events and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Wayne) Deininger of Aurora; son, Anthony J. “Joe” (Teresa) Winter III of Bradshaw; daughter, Shirley (Mike) Yates of Adams; grandchildren, Kristine Deininger of Kansas City, Kan., Sheryl (Kyle) Lubischer of Davey, Daniel Winter of Bradshaw, Benjamin Winter of Bradshaw, Justin (Kim) Yates of Waverly, Ashley (Josh) Cool of Kearney, and Trey Yates of Adams; and great-grandchildren, Madelyn Lubischer, Izabella Lubischer, Grayson Yates and Case Cool. She is also survived by her brother, Robert (Gerry) Kopke; sister, Mildred (Robert) Barr; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Monsignor Reinert officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, York. A Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the mortuary. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 1-8 p.m., on Wednesday, with family greeting friends after the Rosary service. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Hospital or the Foundation Fighting Blindness.