Esther C. Schut, 87, died Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Good Samaritan Luther Manor, Sioux Falls. Esther was born January 8, 1924 at Remsen, IA to Jacob and Mary (Seel) Kappler. She received her education in rural country schools at Remsen and then worked with her parents. She married Ray Schut on January 16, 1946 at Remsen and they worked as a hired farm couple for several years. They moved to a farm northwest of Elkton on March 1, 1958. They retired from farming in 1982 but remained on the farm until moving into Flandreau in November of 1995. Ray preceded her in death on February 17, 2003 and Esther moved to Luther Manor in Sioux Falls in September of 2004. Esther was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, Ladies Aid, and enjoyed the duties of a farm wife, including gardening, canning, preserving, and baking.

Esther is survived by daughter, Ethel Schut, Sioux Falls; 2 nephews, Curtis Kappler, Remsen, IA, David (Sherry) Sonow, Remsen, IA; a niece, Mary (Larry) Nafziger, Euless, TX; several cousins and special friends, Randy, Michelle, Alex and Kristi Peterson of Flandreau. She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant daughter, 2 sisters, Ann and Marie; and 2 brothers, Louis and George.

Funeral service will be Saturday, February 20, 2011 at 10 AM at Luther Manor, 1500 W. 38th St, Sioux Falls and Saturday at 2:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, Flandreau with burial at Fairlawn Cemetery, Aurora, SD. Visitation will be from 2-5 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau.