Esther Sterner

Merna, NE- Esther N. Sterner age 87 of Merna, died Friday March 31, 2017 at the Jennie Melham Medical Center in Broken Bow.    Funeral services will be held on Friday April 7, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow with Pastor Bill Williams officiating.  Burial will be in the Merna Cemetery.  Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements.  Memorials are suggested to the Anselmo-Merna School Scholarship Fund to be used for an Elementary Education Major Scholarship or the Merna United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Thursday April 6, 2017, 8 AM to 8 PM with the family greeting friends, 6 PM to 8 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary.    Esther Nell Sterner was born on February 20, 1930 at Hiwasse, Arkansas to Edward and Lucy (McMurtry) Murray.  At a young age Esther moved with her family to a ranch north of Mullen, NE, until 1945 when the family moved to Broken Bow.  Her mother ran the Court Perfect Motel.  Her father died in 1946.  Esther graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1948.  After high school Esther attended Kearney State College.  She then started her teaching career at Sumner Schools.    On April 4, 1953 Esther was married to Marvin Sterner at the Christian Church in Broken Bow.  Esther helped Marvin with the farming.  She later returned to teaching at Anselmo in 1967.  Esther took classes by correspondence to finish her college education.  Esther then started teaching 2nd grade at Merna and later Kindergarten, retiring from her 29 years of education in 1993.  During her teaching career Esther was instrumental in getting all day kindergarten at the Merna schools, and was very active the Boys and Girls State.   Esther was a member of the Merna United Methodist Church for 60 years, the United Methodist Women and the American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as President.  Esther was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma, Daughter of the American Revolution, many extension clubs, and even won the “Merna Garden of The Year.”  She was always attending school, community and 4-H activities.    Esther is survived by her husband, Marvin of Merna; her sons, Edward Sterner of North Platte, Clifford (Jeri) Sterner of Merna, and David (special friend Susan Nossaman) Sterner of Sidney; three grandsons, Timothy (Jennifer) Sterner, Terry(Coleen) Sterner, and Travis(Wynn) Sterner; six great grandchildren; a brother Connley “Ed” (Donna) Murray of Valley Forge, PA; and a sister-in-law Helen Murray of Holyoke, CO.   She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother Louie B. Murray.