D. Esther Abels, 90, of Kearney died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Mother Hull Home in Kearney.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 8, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney. Rev. James DeLoach will officiate and burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation is planned Thursday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney or prior to services Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran Radio Broadcast fund. A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

She was born March 4, 1923 in Amherst to Carl and Clara (Baeder) Bergt. She grew up northeast of Amherst on the family farm and attended Immanuel Parochial School.

She was baptized March 25, 1923 and confirmed May 17, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church northwest of Amherst.

On June 11, 1944 she married Norman Abels at Immanuel Lutheran. She and her husband farmed and operated a dairy northwest of Amherst. They moved to Kearney in 1968 and she worked at Baldwin Filters for 22 years. She and her husband then were custodians at Zion Lutheran then Evangelical Free Churches in Kearney for 15 years, she then worked as a housekeeper at Mother Hull Home until retiring.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst until joining Zion Lutheran Church in 1974. At Zion Lutheran she was a member of the Mary Martha Guild and sang in the church choir.

Esther loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving relatives include her husband; Norman of Kearney, daughters; Gloria and husband Robert Travis of Kearney, Dorothy and husband Gary Harmoney of Omaha, NE and son; Arlee and wife Ann Abels of Kearney. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. In addition to her family she is also survived by dear friends that were special in her life.

She was preceded in death by a brother; Eugene Bergt and sister; Helen Blanton.