Esther Viola Yochim

Esther Viola (Nimtz) Yochim, 100, passed away on August 10, 2015 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 13, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Rd., Sodus, with Rev. Robert Duehlmeyer officiating.  Burial will follow at Shanghai Memorial Cemetery in Eau Claire. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Heritage Chapel, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs.  Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Esther online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com. Esther was born March 22, 1915 in Bainbridge Township to Arthur and Minnie (Schroeder) Nimtz.  She married Herman Yochim on December 17, 1938 in Eau Claire. Together they enjoyed 62 years of marriage working alongside each other on their farm.  Esther was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and looked forward to church every Sunday.  In her spare time, Esther enjoyed sewing, tending her vegetable garden and she loved growing beautiful, bright-colored flowers.  Esther is survived by her son, Don of Eau Claire; three sisters-in-law, Rosie Nimtz of Eau Claire, Helen Wilson of Dowagiac and Eve Yochim of Florida; brothers-in-law, Paul (Beverly) Yochim of Niles and Richard Foreman of Dowagiac; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Herman, and brothers, Raymond, John and Bill.