Esther Schatzel Petersen

Esther Schatzel Petersen passed away on Dec. 27, 2023, at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon, shy of her 99th birthday.

She was born on Jan. 13, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington. Her parents were Johannes Schatzel and Anna Marie Lofink Schatzel, German immigrants from the Volga region in Russia. Esther had nine siblings. She spent her life working and helping others. At an early age, she helped care for her younger siblings.

She met Lawrence (Pete) Petersen while working at an auto dealership. They were married on March 9, 1947. Their daughter, Kristine, was born in 1948, and they moved to Astoria. Tom was born in 1952, and Joanne in 1954. Their house on Ninth Street in Astoria was the family home for over 20 years.

Pete worked in Bristol Bay, Alaska, almost every summer. This left Esther to keep the family centered in Astoria. She worked at the church office of Trinity and Peace Lutheran churches. She was the bookkeeper for the family salmon-buying business and cooked on tendering boats in Alaska.

Esther was a devoted Lutheran from her birth into her late life. She was a member of the Altar Guild, choirs and other ministries, including a team to needlepoint communion kneelers. She was also a Sunday school teacher. Her sewing and needlework skills were excellent, and a source of great pride.

In 1973, she was chaperone for the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court. Esther and Pete brought Esther’s mother into their home, and cared for her for the last several years of her life. It was just part of her continued service to family and friends.

Esther instilled many great values into their children and grandchildren. She was very proud of all of them. All of her grandsons are Eagle Scouts, and her granddaughter is a forensic nuclear chemist.

Many people are left to honor and cherish her memory including her three children and their spouses; five grandchildren and their families, which includes five great-grandchildren and four bonus great-grandchildren. Also, she has two younger sisters, and many nieces and nephews. She has rejoined her husband, whom she lost in 1995.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Peace First Lutheran Church. A reception follows at the Holiday Inn Express Astoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Peace First Lutheran Church or a charity of one’s choice.