On Friday, October 27, 1916 at home in Shakopee, MN, Esther Anna was born to parents Joseph and Catherine (Hartman) Lebens. She was the third of six children. Esther’s childhood years were spent in Shakopee, with graduating from the Shakopee Senior High in 1934.
Most of Esther’s career was spent as an accountant for Ries Bottling Company, Sundance Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital all in Shakopee. She also was a realtor for over 15 years for Dallas Capesius and Edina Realty.
Meeting a young man named, Peter Rademacher, Esther fell in love and they were married on Saturday, January 6, 1940 at the Church of St. Mark in Shakopee, MN. They were blessed with three sons, Don, Larry and David. Only married 29 years, Esther became a stronger and independent mother, after Peter died suddenly on Wednesday, December, 31, 1969.
An active and dedicated member of the community, Esther was committed in serving immeasurable years to the St. Mark’s C.C.W., the Forrester’s and in her sons early years to the Boy Scouts. For over 43 years, Esther served as the past president, secretary, treasurer and member of the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.
In her earlier years, Esther enjoyed attending all for her sons sporting events, traveling countless hours to Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School. A talented woman, Esther loved woodworking and painting. Because of her husband’s passing, she became a skilled handywoman around the house and she was very proud of her accomplishments along the way. From spring until fall, Esther loved to be working in her vegetable garden and excelled in canning the fruits of her labor.
One of Esther’s greatest joys was spending time at the family cabin on Long Lake. She loved to fish and had fun sharing time in the boat with her grandchildren as she taught them how to fish. She also was a founder and long-term secretary of the Long Lake Homeowners Association.
A dedicated Catholic, Esther was a kind, loving and generous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A life-long resident of Shakopee, Esther Rademacher, age 95, was reunited with her husband in heaven the early afternoon of Saturday, April 7, 2012 at her home.
Forever loved, Esther will be deeply missed by her sons, Don (Sarah) Rademacher of Hopkins, Larry (Jean) Rademacher of Shakopee, David Rademacher of Shakopee; grandchildren, Katharine Rademacher Lang, Scott (Carrie) Rademacher, Justin (Laura) Rademacher, Heidi (Amy Bloomquist) Rademacher, Abbey Rademacher; 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in law, Gladys Lebens of Shakopee: brother-in-law, Donald “Dutch” LaTour of Shakopee; many other loving relatives and friends.
Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Peter; parents, Joseph and Catherine; brothers, Harry (Violet) Lebens, Fred Lebens; sisters, Laura Lebens, Eleanor Lebens and Mary LaTour.
Pallbearers for Esther will be her grandchildren, Katharine, Scott, Justin, Heidi and Abbey. Her nephews, Ernest Lebens, Alvin (Butch) Lebens, John LaTour, Dan LaTour, and Robert Lebens will be honorary pallbearers.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, April 11 at 11 a.m., with visitation two hours prior all at the Church of St. Mark, 350 Atwood Street in Shakopee. Father Thomas Merrill will officiate. Esther will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee, Minnesota.
