Funeral services for Esther Benton, 92 year old Buffalo resident who passed away Tuesday evening at the Johnson County Health Care Center, will be held Monday, January 31st at 2:00 p.m. from the Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Pastor Kirk Peters officiating. Visitation will be held from the Adams Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Fellowship at the American Legion following the service. Donations in Esther’s memory may be made to the St. Francis Animal Shelter or the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in care of the Adams Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.

Esther Albrecht Benton was born on April 26, 1918 in Sheridan, Wyoming, the youngest of seven children born to Minnie and Albert Albrecht. She grew up in Sheridan and graduated from Sheridan High School with the class of 1936. After high school she worked at Montgomery Ward and later for MDU in Sheridan. She was married in February of 1950 to Orville (Al) Benton and they made their home in Lodge Grass, Montana. The family moved to Piney Creek North of Buffalo in 1961, and in 1963 they moved into Buffalo. After her divorce, Esther worked at various jobs in Buffalo and in 1987 she went to work for the U.S. Forest Service office where she retired after 20 years of service at age 89. Esther continued living in Buffalo until the time of her death.

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading and baking for her family and friends. She was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Her church and singing in the choir were very important to her. She loved all of her pets, especially her chickens. Esther loved people and made new friends where ever she went. She was always up for a road trip.

She is survived by one son, Cole Benton and his wife Elaine of Leiter; three daughters, Ileta Neustel and her husband Keith (Pepper) of Buffalo, Tamara Filcaske and her husband Don of Gillette and Laurie Alger and her husband Burton of Deer River, Minnesota; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, one brother and one grandson.

Sheridanmedia.com - January 28, 2011.