Esther Rose Norris

Esther Rose Norris, 94, of Eureka, formerly of Goodfield/Congerville, passed away at 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka.

She was born on December 15, 1928 in Peoria, IL a daughter of Fred and Edna Herberger Schmidgall. She married Richard L. “Dick” Norris on April 21, 1951 in Eureka. He passed away on December 26, 2010.

Survivors include two daughters, Kay Liebenow of Towanda; Teresa Norris of Goodfield; one son, Jeff Norris of Plainfield; one sister, Marian Fritch of Mackinaw; one grandson, John (Ashley) Rapp of Deer Park, IL; three great grandchildren, Sawyer, Hattie and Tate Rapp.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Fred Schmidgall, and one sister, Evelyn Deterts.

Esther was a member of the Congerville Home Extension and of the Goodfield Homemakers. Esther and her husband, Dick, owned the Deer Creek Telephone Company, started by Dick’s father, Guy, in the 1940s. Esther was very active in the operations of the phone company.

She loved playing cards and Rummikub for hours a day and was an avid Bridge player for 70 years with four couples from the Congerville area. She enjoyed traveling, and she spent several weeks on Sanibel Island, FL, for the past 40 years with her husband and family.

She and her husband were inseparable. Her love for him was extraordinary, and now she is once again with the love of her life in Heaven.

She was life-long member of Mount Hawley Community Church in Peoria where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023. Pastor Darnell Starks, Sr., will officiate. A meal will follow. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka and also from 10-11 a.m. on Friday at the church before funeral services. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka. Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka is handling arrangements for the family.

The family wished to express their appreciation to the staff at the AC home for the wonderful love and care she received there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.argoruestmanharris.com.