ESTHER J. KISCH

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 10 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner with burial to follow at the Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Wagner. Lunch will be provided for a time of fellowship and sharing of memories back at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to The Center in Yankton for the Meals on Wheels program and the Wagner Presbyterian Cemetery. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Esther Jean Kisch was born May 23, 1936 in Charles Mix County, the daughter of John and Marie (Rados) Dostal. She peacefully left behind a life marked by love, tenacity, and good-natured humor and entered eternal life on March 18, 2026. Esther had attained the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 23 days.

After graduating in 1954 from high school Esther moved to Minneapolis, MN where she received a Certificate of Proficiency in Airline Communications. She then went to work for Prudential Insurance and shortly thereafter met Gene. Esther married Eugene Kisch on September 16, 1955 at the Presbyterian Church in Avon. They were blessed to have 70 ½ years together. After their marriage they lived in Minneapolis, MN until they moved to Wagner, SD in 1958 to farm with John and Marie Dostal until they moved to their home farm north of Wagner in 1960. In 1985, Gene and Esther returned to Minneapolis and lived there until they moved to Yankton in 2021.

Esther was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Wagner and the Church of the Masters in Coon Rapids, MN where she was a Sunday School teacher and was very involved with her churches. While living in Wagner, Esther helped Gene on the farm and raised hogs and cattle. (Esther loved her pigs and was a collector of everything pigs.) She also worked for Schmall’s Clothing Store in Wagner as well as the VFW Club and the Two Spurs restaurant. Esther was a busy woman as she was active in the Charles Mix County Democrats, was a 4-H Leader, and a member of Jayceettes among other things. Esther will be remembered by her laughter, her love for people and the many friendships she made as well as her tendency to enjoy playing tricks and jokes on people.

Thankful for having shared her life are her husband, Eugene of Yankton, and her children: daughter, Jackie (Lynnal) Meisenheimer of Brandon; sons: Ron (Norma) Kisch of Salem OR, Dennis (Diane) Kisch of Yankton, and Dale (Leeann) Kisch of Gult, CA; 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Dostal, sister Delores Nedved, brother Clayton Dostal, and son-inlaw Lynnal Meisenheimer.