Esther Brunotte
August 12, 2012
Esther Brunotte, 96, passed away Sunday, August 12, 2012, at her home in Mitchellville. She was born July 31, 1916, in Ferguson, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Bertha Sexton.
Esther lived in Mitchellville since 1933. She was married to Gerald “Red” for 29 years prior to his passing in 1968. Esther and her husband owned a grocery store in 1937 and ran it for 32 years. Her father was instrumental in starting the bank in Mitchellville, and Esther worked in what was then Farmers Savings Bank for several years; today the bank is called Legacy Bank. Esther also worked for the assessor’s office as well as attorneys John Carter and Paul Vos.
She and “Red” raised three children in the community. Esther remembered Mitchellville always being a thriving community during the time she had lived there. She called Mitchellville home because she loved the town as well as the people.
Esther is survived by her children, Jack Brunotte of Des Moines, Dale (Mary) Brunotte of Ames, and Jean (Tom) Coe of rural Maxwell; grandchildren, Melanie Bisignano, Kevin (Jessie) Coe, and Scott Coe; step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Olivia, Florina, Thomas, and Florian; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Brooke, Taylor, and Cooper; as well as step great-granddaughter, Natalie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald “Red” Brunotte, her parents, and her siblings.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at Mitchellville United Methodist Church, 200 2nd Street NW in Mitchellville, with burial following at Mitchellville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Hamilton’s Mitchellville Funeral Home, 303 Center Avenue South.
Memorial contributions may be directed toward the family in loving memory of Esther and her mother, Bertha Sexton, for use at the church.
Online condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
melanie
10/20/2012
I love u so very very much and still lose sleep over your death. you were such a big influence in my life and always will be. im so sorry for ever disappointing you but I will do my best to make it up to you. you are in my heart and I think of you every single day. thank you for all you've ever done for me and the kindness you have shown everyone around you in your lifetime.
Michelle Wonders
08/16/2012
I was very sorry to hear about your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Margaret (Kennedy) Brower
08/16/2012
Dear Aunt Esther...Christmas Eves with you and the Carters gathered at the Kennedy House are memories I treasure. You were such a part of our lives and my sisters and I were honored to have you as our 'Aunt Esther' even though it wasn't official. You have been a great friend to our family, a great mentor and wonderful lady to visit over the years. You will be missed! We will always think of you when we make our Christmas Sludge recipe! Much love to the entire Brunotte Family! You are in our thoughts and prayers. -Margaret Kennedy Brower
Rita Rogers
08/16/2012
Ester was a very dear friend to me in the 1980's and 90's.And 'such as life' we parted to my sorrow.
She had the ability to relate to every generation and was always there for me. I would laugh hysterical because of her great sense of humor.
I will always remember the wonderful meals she prepared in the blink of an eye. The breakfast nook table would be filled with vegetable salads, meat dishes, cobblers, pies, cakes and my favorite apple salad. Although she shared her recipe with me it never tasted as good.
I was very blessed to have known Ester and to have her in my life. I'm just sorry I was not able to tell her. I can only hope she will hear this through my prayers to her.
STEVE HOWELL
08/15/2012
TO JACK, DALE AND JEAN AND ALL OF THE BRUNOTTE FAMILY. I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF YOUR MOM.
I REMEMBER AS A LITTLE BOY GOING TO RED-ESTHERS GROCERY STORE IN MITCHELLVILLE WITH MY FOLKS AND GRANDPARENTS ON SATURDAYS TO GET GROCERIES. I REMEMBER AS A YOUNG TEENAGER HOW ORNERY DALE AND I WERE IN THE TOWN OF MITCHELLVILLE. I REMEMBER OUR TIME JACK ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALSO OUR TIME TOGETHER IN THE MITCHELLVILLE NURSING HOME WITH OUR MOTHERS IN THE SAME ROOM. I REMEMBER ONE TIME WE WERE ALL LAUGHING SO LOUD THE NURSE HAD US ALL QUIET DOWN IN OUR MOM'S ROOM. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU . YOU HAD A GREAT MOM AND DAD.
Karen Fenimore Davis
08/14/2012
Dale, What a legacy your parents were to Mitchellville! Can remember the store ..didn't now your grandfather played such a big role in the town! Your Mom was a special person & her presence will be missed .She was an Icon. I'm proud to say I knew your parents,and You in our growing up years. Praise The Lord ! Find comfort that Mom is in a totally joyful place . Thankyou Jesus , we owe all the glory to You.
Cyndee Cox
08/14/2012
Jack, you are in my thoughts and prayers! I know how close you were to your Mom. She sounds like quite a lady from your stories! My regards to you and your family!
Eleanor Bauer
08/14/2012
Jean, I'm so sorry you lost your mother. She certainly lived a long and busy life here on earth, but now safely in the arms of Jesus, she is free from any pain, sadness and is in a much better place. It is hard to say "Goodbye" to loved ones, but knowing we will all be reunited again is comfort to those left behind.
Pauline MC Ginn Steinbach
08/14/2012
DON AND I WANT TO EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES IN THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER. I'M SURE YOU WILL MISS HER SO MUCH. GOD BLESS HER SOUL. FRIENDS; DON AND PAULINE STEINBACH DM.