Funeral services will be held to honor the life of Esther Steuck of Chokio, MN on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio, MN with Pastor Abby Weick officiating, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Chokio Lutheran Cemetery, rural Chokio.
Esther Mae Peterson, daughter of Carl A. and Lois (Barker) Peterson, was born on May 5, 1928 in Detroit Lakes, MN and was baptized at First Congregational Church. Growing up in the community, she attended Detroit Lakes schools and graduated in 1945. Esther then attended Macalester College in St. Paul, graduating in January of 1949. Her first teaching role was as a Commercial Teacher at Chokio High School. On December 26, 1951 Esther married Oliver Steuck at the First Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes, and they made their home on a farm in Baker Township just east of Chokio. In 1972-1973 she was granted a leave of absence in which she taught Model Office at the Chippewa River Vocational Center in Cyrus, MN. Continuing her education, Esther earned a Master of Science degree from St. Cloud State University in 1973 and returned to teach at Chokio High School, which later became the Chokio-Alberta High School. Esther was honored with Teacher of the Year in the C-A School system in 1976 and taught until her retirement in 1985. She truly loved teaching high school and mentoring students through extracurricular activities. In 1986 Esther took a part-time position as an accountant for Thorstad Brothers Tiling, Inc. and devoted eight years to that role.
Away from work, Esther and Ollie enjoyed traveling together. They went to Great Britain and took many bus tours throughout the United States. She found great joy in fishing and working on their farm. After Ollie’s passing, she continued to make her home on the farm. Esther’s love of travel took her to all 50 states and around the world, including destinations throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. She also treasured family trips to places such as New York City, Disney World, and Disneyland.
Closer to home, Esther stayed active through her involvement in numerous clubs and organizations. She worked at the Chokio Bloodmobile from its startup until 2019 and also at the Stevens Community Medical Center Gift Shop. She was a member of the Chokio Study Club since 1960, the Sunrise Bowling League, the Chokio and Chokio-Alberta Education Association and the Treasurer of the Chokio Shipping Association. She also enjoyed assembling quilts and working at the Lutheran Church Bazaars.
Esther died on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Legacy Assisted Living in Morris; she was 98 years old.
Esther was welcomed into eternal rest by her husband, Oliver; her parents, Carl and Lois Peterson; her brother and his wife, Roger and Jeanne Peterson; and her in-laws, Bill and Lu Steuck.
Above all, Esther treasured the family and friends who shared in her remarkable life. Left to cherish Esther’s memory are her nieces, Jonnie Gridley of Pleasant Hill, CA, Lorrie Mariner of Couperville, WA, Karen Holland of Sacramento, CA, and Maureen Farrell of Vacaville, CA, along with their families; Ollie’s relatives, and Tim Kampmeier and his sons.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Esther. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.pedersenfh.com.