Esther Arlene Wellner

Esther Arlene Wellner, 83, of Bella Vista, Ark., died at home on Sunday, June 23, 2013. She was born Dec. 4, 1929, to Cornelius and Tena Mulder Peters in rural O'Brien County, Iowa. She graduated from Raymond High School in Minnesota, attended Northwestern Junior College in Orange City, Iowa, and graduated from Central College, Pella, Iowa, in 1950. Esther married her husband, William (Bill) Wellner, in 1951. She received her master's degree from Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa. After teaching in elementary schools in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, she retired from Dubuque Community Schools of Dubuque, Iowa, as a special education teacher at Irving School after 22 years in that system. She moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1992. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, M. Joan Seim of Bella Vista. Esther is survived her husband, Bill; and two daughters, Carol Friedmann and husband, Stan, of Luxemburg, Iowa, and Julie Monroe and husband, Bob, of Loveland, Colo. There are five grandsons living in Iowa, Colorado and North Carolina and two great-grandchildren. She has a brother, Wilbur Peters and wife, Theta, of Gilbert, Ariz.; and a sister, Beverly Westenberg and husband, Duane, of St. Germaine, Wis. Esther was an active member of the Presbyterian Church having served as an elder and as a member of the Naomi Circle. She played in the nine-hole women's golf league, danced with the Kingsdale Squares, and enjoyed playing Bridge and crazy canasta. She enjoyed traveling and camping and being outdoors. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2013, at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, with Pastor Dennis Ritchie officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista or the Circle of Life Hospice. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.