Esther C. Petzoldt, 80, of Jackson, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.
She was born April 1, 1944, in Perryville to Theodore “Ted” R. and Ella L. Sticht Oehlert. She was baptized on April 16, 1944, and confirmed on March 30, 1958, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. She was a 1958 graduate of the church’s grade school and a 1962 graduate of Perryville High School.
She and Vernon H. F. Petzoldt were married on Aug. 24, 1963, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. Four daughters were born to their union: Tina, Cynthia, Pamela, and Renae. The family joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. After only 13 years of marriage, Vernon died in a fatal truck accident on Sept. 27, 1976. As a single mother, Esther relied on her grit, independence, and determination and raised her daughters as a very brave single parent.
Esther always worked hard and was dedicated to the task at hand. She worked as a security guard at Procter and Gamble and retired from K-Mart after 17 years of employment. She never knew a stranger and had the ability to talk with anyone, a knack that lent itself well to assisting customers at K-Mart.
Esther had an infectious laugh that would fill a room. She was an avid gardener and loved her feline fur babies, Fluffy and Tiger.
To cherish her memory, Esther leaves two daughters, Pamela (Robert) Wenger of St. Peters and Renae Petzoldt of Jackson; two sons-in-law, Mark (late Tina) Riehn of Millersville and Paul (late Cynthia) Sinden of Dixon; grandchildren, Zachery Wenger, Cheryl (Adam) Kendall, Briana (Thayne) Warren, Adriane King, John Riehn; a great-granddaughter, Ella Kendall; a sister, Ann (Edgar) Gerler of Gordonville; sister-in-law, Ruth (late Raymond) Oehlert of Perryville; Vernon’s siblings, Bobby (Sandy) Petzoldt of Marble Hill, Elmer (late Doris) Petzoldt of Perryville; and Vernon’s sister-in-law, Mary (late Roy) Petzoldt of Scott City.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Cynthia Sinden and Tina Riehn; her husband and parents; siblings, Rudolph (Mary) Oehlert, Elvira (Leonard) Lorenz, and Raymond Oehlert; Vernon’s parents, Russell Adolph and Alieda P. Hemmann Petzoldt; Vernon’s adult siblings: Norman A. Petzoldt, Roy E. Petzoldt, Royal Petzoldt; and Vernon’s infant siblings, Paul F. and Pauline B. Petzoldt.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. The Rev. Steven Theiss will conduct the funeral service at noon on Saturday, Feb. 15. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Zachery Wenger, John Riehn, Adam Kendall, Thayne Warren, Robert Piazza, and Scott Derrington.
If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Alzheimer's Association, Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, or the donor's choice of church or charity.
Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Esther’s obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.
