Esther Friederika (Sugden) McPherson, 96, left this earth on Monday, December 31, 2007, at Adams. She was born on September 21, 1911, on a farm southwest of Syracuse.

Survivors include her sister, Betty Pittman, of Adams; sister-in-law, Roberta Sugden of Lincoln; and numerouse nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Louise (Mannschreck) Sugden; her husband, Waldo McPherson; and four brothers, Paul, LeRoy, Ralph and Virgil Sugden.

Esther attended school in Burr, Rural Dist. 79, near Douglas; Douglas High School; and graduated from Syracuse High School in 1939. She attended Peru State Teachers College and graduated from the University of Nebraska. She taught for 26 years in rural districts 93 and 67, and in elementary grades at Douglas, Panama, Palmyra, and Calvert in Lincoln. She retired in 1975.

Esther married Waldo McPherson in the Douglas Methodist Church on June 1, 1932. They farmed prior to moving into Douglas in 1958. Esther continued to teach, and Wald did custodial work. A highlight in their lives was the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on June 1, 1982. Reaching this milestone was not unusual as Esther's maternal grandparents, her parents and three of her brothers also celebrated their 50th anniversaries.

Esther was a member of the Syracuse Blue Birds softball team. They were State Champions and played in the Nationals at Wrigley Field in Chicago in 1935, 1936 and 1937.

Esther was active in all areas of the Douglas United Methodist Church. She was the Sunday School superintendent, a teacher, a member of the choir and Women's Society. She was a 50 year member and past matron of the Order of the Easter Star. She was a past president of the Douglas United Methodist Women, Douglas PTA, Douglas Study Club, Otoe County Federation of Women's Clubs, First District Nebraskat Federation of Women's Clubs, Democratic Women of Otoe County, Area 1E Democratic Women, Alpha conclave Kappa Kappa Iota, and Nebraska Kappa Kappa Iota. She served on the county Farmers Home Administration Board, Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women, and as County Committee Women on the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. She was a recipient of the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award.

Esther moved to the Goldcrest Retirement Center at Adams in the Spring of 2004 where she served as president of the Residents Council. She was a valued ambassador for Goldcrest and welcomed newcomers, participated in chapel, bingo and dominoes, and was a member of the rhythm band. Her encouraging words and cheerful demeanor will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, January 3rd at 2:00 P.M. at the Douglas United Methodist Church with Rev. Lyn Seiser officiating.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday Jan. 2nd from 3:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M.

Memorials may be directed to the Douglas United Methodist Church or the Goldcrest Retirement Center.

Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 269-2441