Esther Ernst

Esther Ernst, age 91, of Sibley, Iowa, died on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Sibley Specialty Care in Sibley, IA.

Family is handling Memorial Services at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all memorials be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, IA.

Esther Elizabeth Terpstra was born on April 5, 1935, in Melvin, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond and Elizabeth (Dykstra) Terpstra. She grew up in Melvin and Sibley, Iowa, and attended school there.

On November 1, 1955, she was united in marriage to Duane Ernst in White, South Dakota. To this union, two children were born, Linda and Larry. After sixty years of marriage, Duane passed away on December 7, 2015.

Esther helped her husband on the farm and worked at Chase Bag. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley as a Sunday school teacher, Elder, and a member of the United Presbyterian Women’s Group.

Esther was part of the Iowa Foster Grandparent Program and, during her retirement years, volunteered at the Sibley Ocheyedan School and the public daycare in Sibley.

Her hobbies included gardening, flowers, baking, sewing, and crafts.

Esther is survived by her two children, Larry (Kathleen) Ernst, and Linda (Jeff) Draayers, and; three grandchildren, Mytchell Ernst, Anna Brandon, and Alec Draayers, and; nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Ernst; parents, Raymond, and Elizabeth Terpstra; and nine siblings, Minnie, Simon, Martha, Irene, Dewy, Richard, Marvin, Earl, and Merle.