Esther Mae Schrunk

Esther Schrunk, age 85, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2026, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Following burial in the Lynd City Cemetery, a luncheon for attendees will be held back at the church basement. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to her celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, at the church.

Esther Mae Fauske was born on August 21, 1940, in New Underwood, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Ingebert and Paula (Kraft) Fauske. Esther grew up on a ranch Southeast of Wall, South Dakota. She was baptized as an infant on September 8, 1940, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Quinn, South Dakota, and was later confirmed in her faith on November 29, 1953, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Wall. Esther attended school in Quinn where she graduated from high school in 1958 and then continued her education at South Dakota State University in Brookings. It was there that she met Mr. Robert Schrunk Jr.

On December 8, 1962, Esther was united in marriage to Bob at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walthill, Nebraska, where she was teaching Home Economics. After five years of Bob’s naval service, in 1968, the couple moved to the farm near Lynd where she lived until last year. Esther and Bob raised four children and spent over 59 years of marriage together prior to his death in 2022.

Esther taught home economics, worked as a life insurance agent, and served on the Schwan’s tasting panel for several years. She briefly helped in a local daycare where she was able to continue teaching children. She enjoyed being a Mary Kay consultant and mentoring other ladies. For years she was a part of the West-side Extension Club as a member and at times an officer. She passionately volunteered for the Women’s Rural Advocacy Program and was a long-time member at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Her enjoyments in life included sewing, quilting, cooking, puzzles, and reading. She enjoyed ceramics and was involved in 4-H with her children. Esther was devoted to her family and looked for ways to create meaning and magic at family gatherings, particularly during the holidays.

Esther Schrunk died peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Marshall, Minnesota. She reached the age of 85 years, 6 months, and 8 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her 4 children, Caroline Chambers of Plymouth, Robb (and Oksana) Schrunk of Truman, Jennifer (and Andrew) Muser of Peyton, CO, Susan (and Aaron) Krenz of Marshall; 20 grandchildren, Marc (Alyssa), Barbara (Kevin), Marie, Elena (Cole), James, Steven (Chloe), Harmon, Abigail (Will), Katherine (Jacob), Matthew (Kaitlin), Michael, Serena, Samuel, Jacob, Nathan, Sadia, Martin, William, Emilie, Evan; 8 great-grandchildren, Elliott, Sienna, Camden, Chloe, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Jenny, Braelynn, (and another on the way); 4 siblings, David (and Donna) Fauske of Wall, SD, Barbara Fauske of Denver, CO, Mary (and Dale) Tweden of Denver, CO, Karen Lamback of Charlotte, NC; sister-in-law, Lorraine Fauske of Eden Prairie; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Ingebert & Paula Fauske; husband, Robert Schrunk Jr.; granddaughter, Anna; and son-in-law, Eric Chambers; and brothers, Norman Fauske and Paul Fauske.