Esther (Estie) G. Schnase, 74, of Grand Island, passed away Friday, January 11, 2019 at CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center, Grand Island.

Memorial service will be held May 30th at 10:00 AM.  Rev. Carl Eliason from Peace Lutheran Church will be officiating.  Burial will be at the Grand Island Cemetery.

Esther was born November 11, 1944.  She was born in her home to Edward and Gertrude (Guericke) Luebke.  She grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School.

She was married to Gary A Schnase on July 1, 1969 in St. Paul, NE.  The couple made their home in Grand Island throughout their marriage. Esther and Gary had one daughter, Lisa Scott Schnase.  She was born on Oct. 4, 1969Lisa married Troy Wampole on August 23, 1997, and made their home in St. Libory with Troy's daughter, Chelsy Wampole. Lisa considered Chelsy her daughter and by extension Chelsy become Esther and Gary's granddaughter. Troy and Lisa wanted to add to their family and she became pregnant with her son Cyrus.  After many complications and while being hospitalized, she gave birth to Cyrus Scott Wampole on Jan. 15, 2000, born prematurely but healthy. Complications during her C-Section and other issues comprised Lisa's health and she died Feb. 5th, 2000.  Lisa was the light in her parent's life and was loved and missed everyday.

Until you have lost a child, you do not know how it feels to be sad every single day, even when you experience joy. This was Esther's experience.

Esther loved spending time with her husband, and her grandchildren Cyrus and Chelsy.

She enjoyed taking trips with Cyrus to Colorado, Omaha, Johnson Lake and Kearney to visit her family. She cherished Cyrus and loved to watch him play baseball, attending his school plays, bowling tournaments and other sporting events.  She enjoyed special lunches with Chelsy.  She was very proud of both of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, collecting angels and spending time in her memorial rose garden.  She cherished her many pets, enjoyed collecting and restoring antiques, and crafting.

She is survived by her grandson, Cyrus Wampole; step granddaughter, Chelsy Branch; her husband, Andrew Branch; and their children, Nickolis Branch, Madilynn Branch, and Benjamin Branch. Additional family members include, Laurie and Woodie Tauscher, Martha and Ron Jacobsen, Larry and Judy Luebke, Mark and Debby Luebke, and Leroy and Winnie Luebke and many cousins.

She had many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.  John and Jaden DeVorss, children of her niece and nephew – in – law, Kelly and Michael DeVorss, held a special place in her heart and they considered her to be their grandmother.

Her parents; her beloved husband and daughter; her sisters, Naomi, and Donna; brother, Leonard preceded her in death.