Esther Harter

Esther J. Moe Harter, 92, of Thornton, Colo., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, at her home.

She was born Sept. 7, 1913, in Bayfield, Wis., daughter of Elias Heitman and Jacobia Emilie Jacobaen Moe.

Mrs. Harter was a graduate of Bayfield High School and St. Barnabus Nursing School in Minneapolis, Minn. She served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from January 1941 to June 1942. She and Austin G. Harter were married in April 1942.

She was a longtime resident of Perryville, Mo., where she worked at Perry County Hospital from 1951 to 1959. She was active in scouting and in the Catholic school system in Perryville 20 years.

She was active in other civic affairs during the time her husband was mayor of Perryville and commander of the National Guard Unit there.

Mr. and Mrs. Harter moved to Cape Girardeau in 1964 when they bought Pure Ice Co.

Survivors include two sons, Glennon Harter and wife Julia of Cape Girardeau, Richard Harter and wife Terrie of Thebes, Ill.; two daughters, Julie Harter of Cape Girardeau, Mary J. Harter of Thornton; five grandchildren, Breanna Harter and Nick Harter of Cape Girardeau, Ryan Harter and Austin Harter of Thebes, Jennifer Enke of St. Louis; and a great-grandchild, Luke Krapf of St. Louis.

She was preceded in death by her husband March 8, 1998; her parents, four brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a vigil service at 7:50.

Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Charlie Prost officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cape Girardeau Senior Center.