Esther Kremer

Esther Kremer, 95, died Monday, December 1, 2025 at her home in Scotland under hospice care.

Esther Elsie (Konrad) Kremer was born November 13, 1930 to Phillip and Anna (Bietz) Konrad on the family farm north of Kaylor, South Dakota. She was baptized on December 7, 1930 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kaylor with her godparents being Walter and Helma Konrad.

Esther had a warm and generous spirit, always welcoming friends and loved ones with open arms and a kind smile. Her unwavering faith and compassion touched the lives of all who knew her, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories.

Esther was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Scotland. She attended school in Kaylor until her sophomore year when she attended Tripp High School. She worked at several grocery stores in Kaylor and Tripp. Esther married her love Doug Kremer on October 5, 1951. They farmed near Delmont, SD for several years and then the family moved to Killeen, Texas where they owned several car washes with Doug’s family. In 1969 the family moved back to Kaylor where they owned and operated Kremer Oil for several years. Esther earned an accounting degree at a Community College in Killeen of which was a proud accomplishment for her. In 1971 she went to work for Jim and Lorry Schmidt at Schmidt Drug as a Pharmaceutical Assistant where she enjoyed greeting the public daily for 29 years. She retired in 2000 to enjoy more time with family and traveling with Doug. Esther and Doug’s family included daughter Sandy Freier (Jim deceased), son Dick Kremer (deceased) and daughter Gayle (Jeff) Anderson. She was Grandma to 11 grandchildren, Great-Grandma to 30 and Great-Great-Grandma to 4.

Esther’s joy in life was time with family, baking at the holidays for everyone, gardening and canning for family and hours of reading. She always was ready to play a good game of pinochle. She cherished her time with the family at the West Wind apartments.

Survivors include: daughters, Sandy Freier, Scotland and Gayle (Jeff) Anderson, Arlington, SD; brothers, Melvin (Lavonne) Konrad, Mitchell and Ken Konrad, Kaylor; sister, Alice (Marvin) Suess of Hillsboro, OR; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; cousins and numerous nieces and nephews who were all so dear to her; and her many friends and her church family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Doug (2007), son, Dick (1998) son-in-law, Jim Freier (2017); brothers, Elmer and Clifford Konrad; sister, Mildred Guericke; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Hieb) Konrad, Norma (Schnabel) Konrad, GayLynn (Klemme) Konrad, LaVern Kahler and Faith (Ted) Gunnare and brother-in-law, Curtis (Marlene) Kremer.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.