Esther Louise Berneking, one of nine daughters born to Daniel and Anna Marie Koch, was born October 12, 1896 at Beloit. At the age of 78 years she died at the Mitchell County Community Hospital, Beloit, on August 29, 1975. Esther grew to young womanhood and was educated at Beloit. She was united in Marriage to George Berneking on March 19, 1918 at the home of her parents in Beloit. They became parents of three children, Wybern, Wayne and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Berneking engaged in farming, first on a farm near Simpson, then they moved to a farm at Formoso, Ks in 1943. They retired to a home in Formoso in 1961. Mrs. Berneking was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Beloit. She was a 50-year member and a past matron of the Simpson Chapter of the Eastern Star, and she belonged to the Helping Hands Club and Ladies Aid at Formoso. Preceding her in death was her husband in February, 1965 and four of her sisters. Surviving are her children, the two sons and their wives, G. Wybern and Ruth Berneking, Formoso, Ks.. Wayne and Dean Berneking, Milford, Ks. and daughter, Margaret M. Bassford, Beloit; four sisters, Mrs. Hilda Vetter, Mrs. Edna Birch, Mrs. Elizabeth Metcalf, and Mrs. Clara Wehl, all of Beloit; and eight grandchildren, Jayne, Terri , Kirk, Martin, and Brian Berneking, Gerry, Janice and Karen Bassford; many other relatives and a host of friends. Funeral services were held at the Zion Lutheran Church on September 1, 1975 with Pastor Edward A. Piper officiating. Music was furnished by soloist Mrs. Robert Petterson and organist, Mrs. Doanld Porter. Casket bearers were Orvis Carter, Steve Fields, Max Guipre, Jerry Johnson, Owen Moore, and Don Vetter. . Mrs. Roger Wessling, Kenny Vetter and Mrs. Don Vetter took care of the floral arrangements. Enest Deschner and Bob Vetter served as ushers. Interment was made in the Balch cemetery at Formoso, Kansas with the McDonald Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.