Daughter of Louis and Johanna (Kai) Heinemann, the 7th of 13th children. Her father worked in the flour mill in Howells at the time of her birth. The family moved to Pender in 1937 where she lived until 2009 when Esther moved to Valley, Nebraska. She lived at Orchard Gardens and enjoyed her time there. Esther was the first in her family to graduate from high school as a member of the Pender High School class of 1939. She attended her 70th reunion in June of 2009.

During Word War II, when help was scarce, she worked as a nurse's aid and cook at the Logan Valley Hospital. In addition, she took on housekeeping. She worked for many-many years, and her last employment was with the Lander family where she worked from 1968 through January of 2000.

In April of 1946, she married Marshall Phillips and they had four children, all were born at the Pender Logan Valley Hospital. Esther was an active member of the Legion Auxiliary, a Charter member of the VFW Auxiliary and a Gold Star Sister, as her brother, Elmer was killed in action in World War II. She was a member of the former Pender Methodist Church and active in the Ladies Society until the Methodist Church merged to become the United Church of Pender where she was an active member until her move to Valley. She was a former member of the Pender Hospital Auxiliary.

Esther is survived by her son, Robbin Phillips and his wife Helen of Sacramento, CA, Three daughters: Cheryl Wonder and her husband John of Omaha, NE; Crystal Herbertson and her husband Dale of Lakewood, Colorado; and Cathy Dill and her husband Russell of Fremont. In addition, Esther is survived by a granddaughter, four grandsons, four step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, ten step great grandchildren and two step great-great grandchildren. Esther is also survived by her brother, Louis (Budd) Heineman of Pender, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marshall, six sisters and five brothers.