Esther Viola (Beachy) Zook of Kalona, Iowa, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at her home. Esther was born Oct. 28, 1932, in Kalona, the daughter of Ananias J. and Ella Mae (Shetler) Beachy. She attended college at Eastern Mennonite College for two years. She was united in marriage to Henry Ray Zook Nov. 22, 1961, at Sharon Bethel Church in Kalona. They lived in Pennsylvania for two years and then spent a year in Kansas before returning to Kalona. Esther always had a heart for missions and ministering to other people. She found joy in serving at Hillcrest Home in Arkansas, her years in Belize as a missionary, and in fostering the many foster children who came through her home. Esther loved flowers and creating beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed the many years of owning and operating a greenhouse business with her husband and family. In her later years she enjoyed volunteer work, composing inspirational pieces for the Kalona News, and spent much of her time sewing and piecing quilts to send overseas. Esther committed her life to Christ in her youth. She was a member of the Salem Mennonite Fellowship Church.
She is survived by her six children: Ella (Mike) Walker of Kalona, Larry (Jewel) Zook of Kalona, Joyce (Jerold) Martin of Wagener, South Carolina, Alan (Jean) Zook of West Chester, Jason (Louise) Zook of Marengo, and Leon (Emma) Zook of Villisca, Iowa; son-in-law: Gareth Gingerich; 48 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Henry Ray Zook; two sisters: Mary and Fannie; seven brothers: Ray, John, Glen, Earl, Jonas, Jesse, and Joe; and three infant grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Ministers from Salem Mennonite Church will be officiating. Burial will be in East Union cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Fairview Mennonite church on Friday, April 19 from 2-4 pm. and 5-7 pm.
