Esther L. (Jonak) Ambrose

Esther L. (Jonak) Ambrose, of St. Paul, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul, at the age of 91.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba. Father Vince Parsons presided. Musicians included Diane Scheichardt, Julie Dush, Kelly Jo Everson, and Ryan Ambrose.

Music selections included “You Are Near,” “How Great Thou Art,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” and “Song of Farewell.” Pallbearers included David Ambrose, Phillip Ambrose, Jeff Ambrose, Kelly Jo Everson, Kayla Johanek, Ryan Ambrose, Erik Fitzsimmons, Sarah Kiley, Tonya Fitzsimmons, Bryan Fitzsimmons, Clare Ambrose, Mathew Boyle, and Michael Boyle. Honorary pallbearers included Carter Ambrose, Maverick Ambrose, Josie Everson, Melanie Everson, Hunter Everson, Lillian Fitzsimmons, Tristan Fitzsimmons, Lyla Johanek, Reese Johanek, Lacey Charlton, Adam Kiley, and Charles Boyle. Interment was held in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

The visitation was held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba.

A Rosary followed.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Jacobsen- Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St.

Paul assisted the family.

Esther was born on January 10, 1932, to Frank, Sr. and Agnes (Grudzinski) Jonak. She grew up on a family farm by Ashton. She attended Sherman County No. 22 Rural School. She was united in marriage to Milton Ambrose on October 3, 1950 in Paplin. After raising her children, she received her GED and graduated from Central Community College in Grand Island with her dietitian certification. She was employed at the Elba Café. Esther was also the head cook at the Howard County Medical Center for thirty-five years.

Her hobbies include canning, gardening, decorating cakes, baking, crocheting, and sewing.

Esther made a lot of clothes for her children and grandchildren, afghans, and doilies. She enjoyed listening to polka music, reading, and loved doing crossword puzzles in ink. She was a very active member of St.

Joseph’s Catholic Church and the St. Paul American Legion Auxiliary Post 119.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Craig Ambrose of St. Paul; daughters, Michelle Boyle of Port Pirie, South Australia and Beverly Fitzsimmons of Grand Island; daughters-in-law, Barbara Ambrose of St.

Paul, Linda Ambrose of Waverly; grandchildren, David (Chelsea) Ambrose, Phillip Ambrose, Jeff (Carrie) Ambrose, Kelly Jo (Rob) Everson, Kayla (Ryan) Johanek, Ryan (Janessa) Ambrose, Erik (Rachel) Fitzsimmons, Tonya Fitzsimmons, Bryan (Katie) Fitzsimmons, Sarah (Daniel) Kiley, Clare Ambrose, Matthew (Bianca) Boyle, and Michael (Luisa) Boyle; great-grandchildren, Carter, Maverick, Josie, Melanie, Hunter, Lillian, Tristan, Lyla, Reese, Lacey, Adam, and Charles.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Milton Ambrose; sons, Carl Ambrose and Joe Ambrose; sisters, Almarie Persak and Elaine “Lillian” Dart; infant brother, Eugene Jonak; brothers, Theodore “Ted” Jonak, Lawrence “Larry” Jonak, Frank Jonak, Jr., Isadore Jonak; and great-grandchild, Nevaeh Ambrose.

The Phonograph-Herald | October 11, 2023