Esther L. (Lebsack) Norris, 90, passed away on May 27, 2023 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Esther was born on April 4, 1933, in Loveland, Colorado, to Jacob and Marie Lebsack. She married Samuel J. Norris on December 22, 1990, in Ottumwa, Iowa. Sam preceded her in death on February 24, 2017. Esther received her bachelor’s of science in Nursing from the University of Denver, her Master’s of science in Nursing from the University of Iowa, and her training in ministry from Bethany Seminary, prior to her ordination as a pastor into the Church of the Brethren. Esther was a member of the Columbia City Church of the Brethren in Columbia City, Indiana.
Esther’s life was spent in service to others as a nurse and ultimately as vice president of Ottumwa Hospital in Ottumwa, IA. She was also involved in teen ministries and served as an interim pastor at various churches. She especially enjoyed her interaction with students from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Esther is survived by her son, Jerry Kalb, four stepsons, Jeffrey, Gary, Martin, and Andy Norris, seventeen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, one nephew, and five nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Marie Lebsack, her husband, Sam Norris, two brothers, Albert and Rueben Lebsack, two sisters, Marie Lenhardt and Mollie Bernhardt, one son, Eric Kalb, one stepson, Edward Norris, and one great grandchild, Silas Kalb.
Friends and family may gather to share and remember on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Columbia City Church of the Brethren, located at 112 N. Washington St. Columbia City, IN 46725, from 11AM to 1PM. A funeral service will begin at 1PM with Pastor Dennis Beckner officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery in Fort Recovery, OH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:
the Jacob and Marie Lebsack Scholarship Fund/ Indiana Wesleyan University
or
Columbia City Church of the Brethren
Or
Salamonie Church of the Brethren
Arrangements have been entrusted to Glancy-H. Brown & Son Funeral Home in Warren, Indiana.
