Esther Marie Gipson

Esther Marie Gipson, 91, of Byron, IL passed away at home on May 6, 2018. She was born November 3, 1926 in Farmington, MN to Andrew and Marie (Thomsen) Larsen. She moved to Lee County, IL in 1929. Attended schools in Lee County, IL, North Park College, Chicago and Rockford School of Business, Rockford. She resided in Rockford for 45 years. She worked as a legal secretary for 20 years and as a bookkeeper for the law firm. She was also employed as a secretary for an investment broker and an advertising agency in Rockford.

While in Rockford, she assisted numerous Laotian families who came out to Rockford 1978-1982. She married John M. Gipson in 1993. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ashton, IL and was active in WELCA and in the quilting group for 18 years.

She is survived by her two sons, Dennis Wagner of Las Vegas and David (Linda) Wagner of Loves Park; one daughter, Lori (Bill) Collins of Byron; one grandchild Robert Wagner of Loves Park; and many great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, one sister and two nieces.

Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 803 Paddock Ave. in Ashton, IL at 10:45 am on May 9, 2018. Visitation will be held at the church from 10-10:30 prior to the service. Private burial for family will take place at a later time at Prairie Repose Cemetery in Amboy, IL. Funeral services were entrusted to Beverage-Lyons Family Funeral Home, 601 Richardson Ave, Ashton IL 61006. www.beveragelyonsfamilyfh.com