Long time Jefferson resident Esther Kirby passed away in her home November 4, 2023. She was 94. Born in Douglas County, MN, in October 1929, Esther was the third of four children born to Walter and Martha Genrich. She grew up in Minnesota and later Swea City. During high school, Esther attended the first Iowa Girls State Leadership Conference.
After getting her teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa, Esther taught at a one room school in Pocahontas. While living in Pocahontas, she met the love of her life, John H. Kirby, better known as Hudge. They were married on July 2, 1950, then went to Alaska while Hudge served his military commitment.
After serving in Alaska, they returned to Fort Dodge. While living there, the family grew with the birth of two children, Judy and Dana. The family relocated to Jefferson in 1962. Esther wore many hats while in Jefferson. She substituted in the Jefferson Public Schools. She and Hudge ran the Montgomery Ward catalog agency in Jefferson and Esther later ran Montgomery Ward catalog agencies in Perry and Boone. Eventually, Esther got her real estate license and was a broker for Marso Peckumn Real Estate Company where she stayed until retirement.
In addition to her employment career, Esther loved serving the community of Jefferson. She was a Master Gardener and wrote yearly applications so Jefferson could continue to have its Tree City USA designation. She served on the Greene County Board of Review for property assessments. She received the Community Betterment Award.
Esther was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and served as financial secretary for many years. She also kept the books for a local branch of Elderserve. Esther was an avid animal lover and spent hours feeding and watching birds, and any other critter that wandered past the house, with her adopted kitty Lucky in her lap.
There was no challenge that Esther shied away from. She designed the earth-sheltered home she and Hudge loved, found an architect to build it, and oversaw its construction. Never were her hands idle. Esther knit countless pairs of mittens for others, was a quilter, and created beautiful wall hangings. A thousand-piece jig saw puzzle was frequently laid out on her dining table and a Sudoku puzzle book opened by her chair.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; older brother John Genrich; older sister Ann Harnden; and her husband, Hudge Kirby. She is survived by her younger sister Jane Goertzen of Spokane, WA; her son Dana Kirby and wife Kay of Johnston; her daughter Judy Gach and husband Greg of Nags Head, NC; and grandson Justin Gach of Santa Monica, CA.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Jefferson Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Esther’s name to the church or to Elderserve of Greene County.
