Helen Esther Rowland Johnson, formerly of Lexington, died Sept. 9, 2011, three days shy of her 87th birthday, in Fort Collins, Colo. There was a Celebration of Life held at Parkwood Estates in Fort Collins on Sept. 24, 2011. Cremation was completed.
Esther was born Sept. 12, 1924 in Davenport. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1942. She was employed by Union Pacific Railroad after completing telegrapher school and worked for the company for 27 years as a telegrapher, PBX operator and station agent in Colorado and Nebraska. In the 1950s, she was one of 11 women holding a telegrapher position.
Esther married fellow railroader Fred William Johnson on Sept. 18, 1954. He preceded her in death on Aug. 5, 1994. After her marriage, Esther lived in Grand Island, Arnold, Cozad, Hershey and North Platte. She moved to Fort Collins in 2008 to be close to her daughter and family.
Esther was a long time member of the Hershey United Methodist Church and past president of the United Methodist Women. After retirement, she and Fred loved to travel. For many years they enjoyed spending their winters at Casa Grande, Ariz., and made many friends there. Esther continued to winter there until 2008. She was a dyed in the wool Nebraska Cornhusker fan, though she favored watching volleyball over football. She was intensely proud of the Nebraska volleyball team. Her one regret on moving to Fort Collins was the lack of television coverage of the Lady Huskers.
She enjoyed playing Scrabble and cribbage, teaching her grandson, Alex, the finer points of the games, Alex felt a sense of accomplishment if he could beat Grandma at cribbage as she didn't give him any breaks. Given the choice of cribbage partners, Alex would choose his Grandma over his parents.
Esther is survived by her daughter, Cristi (Chris) MacWaters; a grandson, Alex MacWaters, all of Fort Collins, and a brother, Jay (Lona) Rowland of Elm Creek.
In addition to her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Hay Rowland and Anna Elsie (Rathsach) Rowland; a brother, Robert Rowland and a sister, Jean Darlene Ginsberg.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be direction to the charity of the donor's choice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collns, CO 80524.Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.
Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins was entrusted with the arrangements.
