Esther Casey Barr

Esther Casey Barr, 94, Jamestown, ND died Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at Central Dakota Village, Jamestown, ND.
Esther Marie Gross was born November 11, 1912 on the family farm near Cleveland, ND, the daughter of John and Lydia (Wahl) Gross, Sr., the 3rd of 11 children. She was raised and attended school in Cleveland and then worked on the family farm. She moved to Jamestown, ND where she worked as a waitress at the Jamestown Café. In 1937, she married Ray Peterson. During the 1940's, she owned and operated the Elmwood Inn at Klaus Park in Jamestown, ND. In 1944, she married Joe Casey. He died On April 28, 1952. She married Melvin Barr in 1955 and he died in 1973. Esther worked as a nursing aide at the North Dakota State Hospital and after retiring, did home nursing. She later worked as a food demonstrator at County Market in Jamestown.
Esther loved garage sales and became a collector extraordinaire. She was also a community activist who wouldn't hesitate to confront the city council. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 52 years.
Survivors include 3 children: Marilyn Koenig, Sacramento, CA; Memrey (Carl) Casey-Jones, Kailua, HI; James Miles (Mary) Casey, Colorado Springs, CO; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Sadie Schock, Jamestown, ND and Irene Harrington, Minnetonka, MN and special friend, Pauline Roemmich, Jamestown, ND.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Joe Casey and Melvin Barr; her son, Joseph in 1965; a grandson, Steven and 8 siblings: Daniel Gross, Nettie Frandsen, Reuben Gross, John Gross Jr., Donald Gross, Ruth Bryant, Virginia Gross and Ernest Gross.
Funeral Service - 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 21, 2007 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND.
Visitation - 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2007 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND. No visitation Thursday or Friday.