Esther M. Schreiner

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Esther Marie (Lehfeldt) Schreiner, 88, passed away peacefully at Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead, MN on Sunday, August 23, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Esther was born May 22, 1938 to Carl and Lillian (Barz) Lehfeldt in Oriska, ND, where she learned the value of hard work growing up on the family farm; each day before school getting up early to milk the cows, feed the pigs, and collect eggs. She attended a one room schoolhouse near Fingal, ND, where she read the entirety of their library by the time she was eleven years old. She carried her love of reading throughout her life. After high school, at 19, she taught at the schoolhouse for a year before relocating to Fargo, ND to be near her younger sister, Jan.

Esther was united in marriage to John “Jack” Schreiner on November 23, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN. Their family grew as they welcomed their four children: John, Mary Frances, Cheri, and Debbie; unfortunately losing Mary Frances shortly after she was born. They settled in Hawley, MN and owned Jack’s Bar for a time before settling in Dilworth, MN. Esther worked for Burroughs, which became Standard Register, for a number of years as the Office Manager. She would go on to own and run Accent Business Forms and Supplies for many years before she found her passion in her longest career of 25 years as a care giver for Clay County Residence Inc caring for individuals with severe disabilities. She continued her work as a foster mother for an individual with downs syndrome caring for him in her home in Glyndon, MN.

Everyone who knew Esther knew how full of life she was and what a kind heart she had. Ever the farmer’s daughter, she kept a garden to supply herself with vegetables to can and share with family including stewed tomatoes, jellies, homemade apple and rhubarb sauce, sauerkraut, and her famous icicle pickles and pepper relish. Her culinary prowess extended beyond canning; baking pies, apple crisp, and baking spritz cookies with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during the Christmas season; a tradition she kept till her passing and one that will be continued by her family.

Esther was also known for her skill crocheting afghans, many of which were gifted to friends and family over the years, especially at the arrival of a new baby. She made hundreds of doilies, dish cloths, and barbie doll clothes for her granddaughter, now passed down to her great granddaughter. Her love of reading continued throughout her life with most surfaces in her house stacked high with books. She also enjoyed playing cards, trips to the casino, playing pull tabs at the Legion and VFW, playing her organ, and country music, especially Charley Pride.

Most importantly, her family held the most prominent place in her heart. She loved being a big sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was everyone’s “mom.” She cherished any and all family gatherings from holidays to reunions, Vikings football watch parties, sleepovers with the grandkids, afternoon coffee visits, and everything in between. Those who knew her will remember her kind smile that always adorned her face, infectious laugh, her warm heart, her wisdom, and constant support. She will be truly missed.

Esther is survived by her children, John (Lydia) Schreiner, Cheri (Phil) Keller, and Debbie (Bob) Kinnen; grandchildren, Trevor (Chelsea) Keller, Amber Keller, Jacob (James Godwin) Kinnen, Nick (Zach) Kinnen, Carter (Baillee Lovell) Keller, and Michael (Michelle) Kinnen; great grandchildren, Landon, Mikiah, Quinten, and Braelynn Keller; siblings, Gloria Richhart, James (Ruth) Lehfeldt, Helen Gwennap, and Sharon (Dan) Sims; brother-in-law, Roger Crawford; sister-in-law, Lynnette Lehfeldt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Mary Frances; siblings, Dale (Olive) Lehfeldt, Jan Crawford, Dick Lehfeldt; and brothers-in-law, Alvin Richhart and Ron Gwennap.

Esther’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Eventide in Moorhead for their love and compassionate care over the last few years. They truly became our extended family and we are forever grateful.