It is with heavy but peaceful hearts that the family of Esther MacDonald (nee Kuhn) announce her passing on June 3^rd, 2023, at the Jubilee Lodge in Kinistino, SK at the age of 89 years.

Esther was born on January 5, 1934, to Alex and Ethel Kuhn in Bruno, SK.  She grew up on a farm in the Red Deer Hill area with her five siblings. Upon leaving the farm she worked at the Prince Albert TB sanatorium where she established many lifelong friendships and met her husband, Harold MacDonald.

Esther married Harold on September 21, 1959. They started their family with the birth of their first daughter Sherry then continued to add to it with the arrival of their son Doug, and daughters Judy, and Lori.  Esther and Harold continued to lovingly raise their family until his passing in 1990.

When her children were younger, Esther chose to remain at home where she excelled as a mother and homemaker. Once her children were older Esther worked as a dishwasher at Smitty’s restaurant, where she took great pride in her work until her retirement in 1992.

Shortly after her retirement, Esther met her wonderful friend and companion Garnet Topping. Esther and Garnet spent many hours having coffee, visiting with friends, and dining out.

In the latter years of her life, Esther lived with dementia, and as a result, resided at various care facilities in and around Prince Albert. She was blessed to spend the last six years of her life living at Jubilee Lodge in Kinistino, SK, where the staff always treated her with love, kindness, dignity, and respect. A special thank you to her friend Phil who shared her love of music and singing.

Esther will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Sherry Arsenault (Scot McHarg), Judy Hogan, and Lori (Ron) Sumners; her grandchildren Matthew (Gina) Arsenault, Jessica Arsenault, Julia (Andrew) Waters, Cassandra MacDonald, Nick (Morgan) Hogan, Hunter Hogan (Stephanie Wilson), Jordan (Preston) Spetz, Zach Sumners, and Izzy Sumners; her great-grandchildren Molly, Olivia, Briar, Olivia, Zoe, and Nolan; her siblings Louis, Joe and Eddie (June) Kuhn; her sister-in-law Elsie MacDonald; and Brenda MacDonald.

Esther was predeceased by her husband Harold MacDonald; her son Doug MacDonald; her grandson Adam Arsenault; her parents Alex and Ethel Kuhn; her siblings Alex (Irene) Kuhn and Ethel (Leo) Royer; her in-laws Julie Kuhn, Helen Kuhn, Lloyd MacDonald, Arlo MacDonald, Joyce MacDonald, Elmer MacDonald, and Norma MacDonald; & her special friend Garnet Topping.

Esther lived a life built on honesty, hard work, kindness, and respect. She always had the coffee pot on and welcomed anyone into her home. She loved playing cards, was always ready for a good game of Yahtzee or crokinole, and spent many hours sitting in her comfy recliner cuddling, reading books, watching the “Price is Right”, and eating cereal with her grandkids.

Esther had a wonderful sense of humor, which didn’t falter even as she transitioned through various stages of dementia. Her smile lit up a room and anyone who had the good fortune of sitting in her presence could feel her kind spirit.  Esther was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and grandmother. We will forever miss and love you “Grandma Red Hair”.

Esther‘s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Jubilee Lodge for the loving and kind care they always provided.

A Funeral Service will be held for Esther on June 10^th, 2023, at 1:30 PM at MacKenzie Chapel. Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at www.mackenziechapel.ca.  Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium.  Brian & Bev Stobbs, Mark Gyoerick – Mel Curle. 306.763.8488.

• Date : 2023-06-03
• Location : Kinistino, SK