Esther was born on May 18, 1920, to Ruben & Pauline Gifford Peterson. She had 3 older siblings and 2 younger ones; Gladys, Alice, Willard, Keith & Donna. Her parents came from Utah as children with their families to settle in the Carey area in the early 1900s. Her grandparents, John Peterson & Marie Jensen, settled in Carey around 1904. They traveled there by horse team and wagon and brought equipment with them that they would use to open the town's first sawmill at Iron Mine on Fish Creek.
The year Esther turned 4, her big sister Gladys passed away due to complications following surgery to correct the paralysis that she'd been stricken with since age 6. Her parents had to travel to Portland for the surgery. Her sister was only 12 years old at the time of her death.
She didn't have children's toys to play with when she was little, but she and her siblings would use items from around the farm to play with. She remembered her dad's old car, a Durant, that was used as a school bus for all the kids who lived near their ranch who needed a ride to the one-room schoolhouse. She also recalled herding turkeys on the ranch and riding her old "kid horse" named Chief who was blind in one eye. She saw many Indians coming through town on horseback on their way to Utah. And one of her favorite pastimes as a young girl was playing baseball.
By the time she was 10, her family had moved to the Bridge precinct, in Cassia County, where her father farmed. She & her family lived through the Great Depression and must have experienced lean times but she grew up in a loving home where she collected many happy memories. Sometime before she started high school, her family moved once again, to Jerome in Jerome County. According to the 1939 Jerome High School Yearbook, She played basketball, took Home Ec., and was in the Glee Club.
In April of 1939, Esther & her friend Pauline Boyd eloped with their beaus across the Idaho/Nevada border to Elko, Nevada. Esther was married to Pauline's brother Johnie on April 22nd, 1939 in a double ceremony with Pauline and Jimmy Chestnutt.
At the time of the 1940 census, a year later, the newlywed couple was living next door to Esther's parents in Jerome. Her husband Johnie had been working as a truck driver since he was 15 years old helping build roads throughout the county. Later that same year, their first child, Richard "Dick" Boyd was born. She and Johnie soon settled in Twin Falls, where they raised their 5 children: Dick, Peggi, Larry, Teri & Lynda. Twin Falls is famous for Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon where Evel Knievel once attempted to cross on his rocket-powered bike.
After her son Larry left to attend college in Washington State, Esther and Johnie also relocated to the area in 1968. They lived near Auburn, about 25 miles south of Seattle, close to Larry and his family. While in Washington, she became a very active & beloved member at Bible Chapel in Auburn. In 1980, after the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, Esther & Johnie moved back to Idaho, settling in Hailey in Blaine County, less than 30 miles from Esther's birthplace. There Esther doted on her many grandchildren, while Johnie worked as a farm laborer. The family enjoyed many camping trips in the Sawtooth National Forest, with their beloved family and horses. Then in 1983, Johnie died of a heart attack while working in the fields.
Esther moved back to Washington for a short while afterward, then back to Blaine County to be with her daughters. She was an active church member wherever she lived, helped found a food bank, and served as a caregiver and companion for several senior citizens in the Wood River Valley. She was right there with the rest of the family on many family outings, with her kids and grandkids, who adored her and who affectionately called her "Grams". They visited the Craters of the Moon Lava field and many of the natural hot spring-filled pools in Idaho including those in Hagerman (Sliger's & Banbury's) and Ketchum. There were also many trips to the nearby fish hatcheries and ponds. She was always there with an offering of encouragement from the bible for family and friends in need AND a stick of gum from her purse for the grandkids.
In 2009, she was nominated to the Heritage Court of Blaine County along with several of her peers. She enjoyed travel as well and took trips to both Alaska and Hawaii.
In 2010, when Esther was 90 years old, her youngest daughter Lynda, passed away suddenly. Esther lived in her daughter Lynda's home in Bellevue afterward with her eldest daughter Peggi. Eight years later, her son Larry also passed unexpectedly. Her children's deaths were painful for her but she always had a strong faith in God and believed she'd see them again soon. She never wavered in her position as matriarch of the family; loving and supporting them with her wisdom and kindness. Her mind was quite sharp for a person of such venerable age, and she was beloved by all who knew her.
In 2020, due to Covid-19, her 100th birthday was celebrated via parade down the street where she lived in Bellevue, Idaho. All her friends and family gathered for the parade where they wished her well from their vehicles as they drove by with signs, streamers, and balloons.
On May 14, 2022, she attended her 102 birthday party surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Shortly thereafter, her physical condition began to decline. She passed away on May 31, 2022, surrounded by her family.
The year Esther turned 4, her big sister Gladys passed away due to complications following surgery to correct the paralysis that she'd been stricken with since age 6. Her parents had to travel to Portland for the surgery. Her sister was only 12 years old at the time of her death.
She didn't have children's toys to play with when she was little, but she and her siblings would use items from around the farm to play with. She remembered her dad's old car, a Durant, that was used as a school bus for all the kids who lived near their ranch who needed a ride to the one-room schoolhouse. She also recalled herding turkeys on the ranch and riding her old "kid horse" named Chief who was blind in one eye. She saw many Indians coming through town on horseback on their way to Utah. And one of her favorite pastimes as a young girl was playing baseball.
By the time she was 10, her family had moved to the Bridge precinct, in Cassia County, where her father farmed. She & her family lived through the Great Depression and must have experienced lean times but she grew up in a loving home where she collected many happy memories. Sometime before she started high school, her family moved once again, to Jerome in Jerome County. According to the 1939 Jerome High School Yearbook, She played basketball, took Home Ec., and was in the Glee Club.
In April of 1939, Esther & her friend Pauline Boyd eloped with their beaus across the Idaho/Nevada border to Elko, Nevada. Esther was married to Pauline's brother Johnie on April 22nd, 1939 in a double ceremony with Pauline and Jimmy Chestnutt.
At the time of the 1940 census, a year later, the newlywed couple was living next door to Esther's parents in Jerome. Her husband Johnie had been working as a truck driver since he was 15 years old helping build roads throughout the county. Later that same year, their first child, Richard "Dick" Boyd was born. She and Johnie soon settled in Twin Falls, where they raised their 5 children: Dick, Peggi, Larry, Teri & Lynda. Twin Falls is famous for Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon where Evel Knievel once attempted to cross on his rocket-powered bike.
After her son Larry left to attend college in Washington State, Esther and Johnie also relocated to the area in 1968. They lived near Auburn, about 25 miles south of Seattle, close to Larry and his family. While in Washington, she became a very active & beloved member at Bible Chapel in Auburn. In 1980, after the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, Esther & Johnie moved back to Idaho, settling in Hailey in Blaine County, less than 30 miles from Esther's birthplace. There Esther doted on her many grandchildren, while Johnie worked as a farm laborer. The family enjoyed many camping trips in the Sawtooth National Forest, with their beloved family and horses. Then in 1983, Johnie died of a heart attack while working in the fields.
Esther moved back to Washington for a short while afterward, then back to Blaine County to be with her daughters. She was an active church member wherever she lived, helped found a food bank, and served as a caregiver and companion for several senior citizens in the Wood River Valley. She was right there with the rest of the family on many family outings, with her kids and grandkids, who adored her and who affectionately called her "Grams". They visited the Craters of the Moon Lava field and many of the natural hot spring-filled pools in Idaho including those in Hagerman (Sliger's & Banbury's) and Ketchum. There were also many trips to the nearby fish hatcheries and ponds. She was always there with an offering of encouragement from the bible for family and friends in need AND a stick of gum from her purse for the grandkids.
In 2009, she was nominated to the Heritage Court of Blaine County along with several of her peers. She enjoyed travel as well and took trips to both Alaska and Hawaii.
In 2010, when Esther was 90 years old, her youngest daughter Lynda, passed away suddenly. Esther lived in her daughter Lynda's home in Bellevue afterward with her eldest daughter Peggi. Eight years later, her son Larry also passed unexpectedly. Her children's deaths were painful for her but she always had a strong faith in God and believed she'd see them again soon. She never wavered in her position as matriarch of the family; loving and supporting them with her wisdom and kindness. Her mind was quite sharp for a person of such venerable age, and she was beloved by all who knew her.
In 2020, due to Covid-19, her 100th birthday was celebrated via parade down the street where she lived in Bellevue, Idaho. All her friends and family gathered for the parade where they wished her well from their vehicles as they drove by with signs, streamers, and balloons.
On May 14, 2022, she attended her 102 birthday party surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Shortly thereafter, her physical condition began to decline. She passed away on May 31, 2022, surrounded by her family.
Esther was born on May 18, 1920, to Ruben & Pauline Gifford Peterson. She had 3 older siblings and 2 younger ones; Gladys, Alice, Willard, Keith & Donna. Her parents came from Utah as children with their families to settle in the Carey area in the early 1900s. Her grandparents, John Peterson & Marie Jensen, settled in Carey around 1904. They traveled there by horse team and wagon and brought equipment with them that they would use to open the town's first sawmill at Iron Mine on Fish Creek.
The year Esther turned 4, her big sister Gladys passed away due to complications following surgery to correct the paralysis that she'd been stricken with since age 6. Her parents had to travel to Portland for the surgery. Her sister was only 12 years old at the time of her death.
She didn't have children's toys to play with when she was little, but she and her siblings would use items from around the farm to play with. She remembered her dad's old car, a Durant, that was used as a school bus for all the kids who lived near their ranch who needed a ride to the one-room schoolhouse. She also recalled herding turkeys on the ranch and riding her old "kid horse" named Chief who was blind in one eye. She saw many Indians coming through town on horseback on their way to Utah. And one of her favorite pastimes as a young girl was playing baseball.
By the time she was 10, her family had moved to the Bridge precinct, in Cassia County, where her father farmed. She & her family lived through the Great Depression and must have experienced lean times but she grew up in a loving home where she collected many happy memories. Sometime before she started high school, her family moved once again, to Jerome in Jerome County. According to the 1939 Jerome High School Yearbook, She played basketball, took Home Ec., and was in the Glee Club.
In April of 1939, Esther & her friend Pauline Boyd eloped with their beaus across the Idaho/Nevada border to Elko, Nevada. Esther was married to Pauline's brother Johnie on April 22nd, 1939 in a double ceremony with Pauline and Jimmy Chestnutt.
At the time of the 1940 census, a year later, the newlywed couple was living next door to Esther's parents in Jerome. Her husband Johnie had been working as a truck driver since he was 15 years old helping build roads throughout the county. Later that same year, their first child, Richard "Dick" Boyd was born. She and Johnie soon settled in Twin Falls, where they raised their 5 children: Dick, Peggi, Larry, Teri & Lynda. Twin Falls is famous for Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon where Evel Knievel once attempted to cross on his rocket-powered bike.
After her son Larry left to attend college in Washington State, Esther and Johnie also relocated to the area in 1968. They lived near Auburn, about 25 miles south of Seattle, close to Larry and his family. While in Washington, she became a very active & beloved member at Bible Chapel in Auburn. In 1980, after the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, Esther & Johnie moved back to Idaho, settling in Hailey in Blaine County, less than 30 miles from Esther's birthplace. There Esther doted on her many grandchildren, while Johnie worked as a farm laborer. The family enjoyed many camping trips in the Sawtooth National Forest, with their beloved family and horses. Then in 1983, Johnie died of a heart attack while working in the fields.
Esther moved back to Washington for a short while afterward, then back to Blaine County to be with her daughters. She was an active church member wherever she lived, helped found a food bank, and served as a caregiver and companion for several senior citizens in the Wood River Valley. She was right there with the rest of the family on many family outings, with her kids and grandkids, who adored her and who affectionately called her "Grams". They visited the Craters of the Moon Lava field and many of the natural hot spring-filled pools in Idaho including those in Hagerman (Sliger's & Banbury's) and Ketchum. There were also many trips to the nearby fish hatcheries and ponds. She was always there with an offering of encouragement from the bible for family and friends in need AND a stick of gum from her purse for the grandkids.
In 2009, she was nominated to the Heritage Court of Blaine County along with several of her peers. She enjoyed travel as well and took trips to both Alaska and Hawaii.
In 2010, when Esther was 90 years old, her youngest daughter Lynda, passed away suddenly. Esther lived in her daughter Lynda's home in Bellevue afterward with her eldest daughter Peggi. Eight years later, her son Larry also passed unexpectedly. Her children's deaths were painful for her but she always had a strong faith in God and believed she'd see them again soon. She never wavered in her position as matriarch of the family; loving and supporting them with her wisdom and kindness. Her mind was quite sharp for a person of such venerable age, and she was beloved by all who knew her.
In 2020, due to Covid-19, her 100th birthday was celebrated via parade down the street where she lived in Bellevue, Idaho. All her friends and family gathered for the parade where they wished her well from their vehicles as they drove by with signs, streamers, and balloons.
On May 14, 2022, she attended her 102 birthday party surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Shortly thereafter, her physical condition began to decline. She passed away on May 31, 2022, surrounded by her family.
The year Esther turned 4, her big sister Gladys passed away due to complications following surgery to correct the paralysis that she'd been stricken with since age 6. Her parents had to travel to Portland for the surgery. Her sister was only 12 years old at the time of her death.
She didn't have children's toys to play with when she was little, but she and her siblings would use items from around the farm to play with. She remembered her dad's old car, a Durant, that was used as a school bus for all the kids who lived near their ranch who needed a ride to the one-room schoolhouse. She also recalled herding turkeys on the ranch and riding her old "kid horse" named Chief who was blind in one eye. She saw many Indians coming through town on horseback on their way to Utah. And one of her favorite pastimes as a young girl was playing baseball.
By the time she was 10, her family had moved to the Bridge precinct, in Cassia County, where her father farmed. She & her family lived through the Great Depression and must have experienced lean times but she grew up in a loving home where she collected many happy memories. Sometime before she started high school, her family moved once again, to Jerome in Jerome County. According to the 1939 Jerome High School Yearbook, She played basketball, took Home Ec., and was in the Glee Club.
In April of 1939, Esther & her friend Pauline Boyd eloped with their beaus across the Idaho/Nevada border to Elko, Nevada. Esther was married to Pauline's brother Johnie on April 22nd, 1939 in a double ceremony with Pauline and Jimmy Chestnutt.
At the time of the 1940 census, a year later, the newlywed couple was living next door to Esther's parents in Jerome. Her husband Johnie had been working as a truck driver since he was 15 years old helping build roads throughout the county. Later that same year, their first child, Richard "Dick" Boyd was born. She and Johnie soon settled in Twin Falls, where they raised their 5 children: Dick, Peggi, Larry, Teri & Lynda. Twin Falls is famous for Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon where Evel Knievel once attempted to cross on his rocket-powered bike.
After her son Larry left to attend college in Washington State, Esther and Johnie also relocated to the area in 1968. They lived near Auburn, about 25 miles south of Seattle, close to Larry and his family. While in Washington, she became a very active & beloved member at Bible Chapel in Auburn. In 1980, after the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, Esther & Johnie moved back to Idaho, settling in Hailey in Blaine County, less than 30 miles from Esther's birthplace. There Esther doted on her many grandchildren, while Johnie worked as a farm laborer. The family enjoyed many camping trips in the Sawtooth National Forest, with their beloved family and horses. Then in 1983, Johnie died of a heart attack while working in the fields.
Esther moved back to Washington for a short while afterward, then back to Blaine County to be with her daughters. She was an active church member wherever she lived, helped found a food bank, and served as a caregiver and companion for several senior citizens in the Wood River Valley. She was right there with the rest of the family on many family outings, with her kids and grandkids, who adored her and who affectionately called her "Grams". They visited the Craters of the Moon Lava field and many of the natural hot spring-filled pools in Idaho including those in Hagerman (Sliger's & Banbury's) and Ketchum. There were also many trips to the nearby fish hatcheries and ponds. She was always there with an offering of encouragement from the bible for family and friends in need AND a stick of gum from her purse for the grandkids.
In 2009, she was nominated to the Heritage Court of Blaine County along with several of her peers. She enjoyed travel as well and took trips to both Alaska and Hawaii.
In 2010, when Esther was 90 years old, her youngest daughter Lynda, passed away suddenly. Esther lived in her daughter Lynda's home in Bellevue afterward with her eldest daughter Peggi. Eight years later, her son Larry also passed unexpectedly. Her children's deaths were painful for her but she always had a strong faith in God and believed she'd see them again soon. She never wavered in her position as matriarch of the family; loving and supporting them with her wisdom and kindness. Her mind was quite sharp for a person of such venerable age, and she was beloved by all who knew her.
In 2020, due to Covid-19, her 100th birthday was celebrated via parade down the street where she lived in Bellevue, Idaho. All her friends and family gathered for the parade where they wished her well from their vehicles as they drove by with signs, streamers, and balloons.
On May 14, 2022, she attended her 102 birthday party surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Shortly thereafter, her physical condition began to decline. She passed away on May 31, 2022, surrounded by her family.
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