SAN ANTONIO—Esther L. Rhude

95, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2009, in San Antonio. She was born in Sharon, ND, on September 22, 1914, to Anders and Anna Bjerke.

Esther graduated from high school and from St. Luke’s Hospital Nursing School in Fargo, ND. While working as a nurse, she met Kenneth. They moved to Louisiana, where they were married in 1939. Both Esther and Kenneth worked in the health field for Standard Oil of New Jersey. Their work took them to Colombia and Venezuela. They returned to the U.S. and settled in Harlingen, TX.

Esther retired in 1977 as Director of Nursing from the Harlingen Chest Hospital. She was a Life Master in Duplicate Bridge, an avid reader, and enjoyed knitting and taking care of her pets. She met many dear friends through her bridge contacts, and will be missed by many people.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Rhude, in 1985.

Survivors include her daughter, Penelope Viteo and husband Stephen; 3 grandchildren, Andrew and wife Jenny, Kayley Viteo, and Matthew Viteo; her dear friend Teresa Luevanos and daughter Oralia Luevanos; a brother, Joseph Bjerke and his son Gary; numerous nieces and nephews, among them a treasured niece, Yvonne Grobe; and her 2 kitties, Twinkie and Sammy.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, 332 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, TX, 78212 or to Ronald McDonald House, 227 Lewis Street, San Antonio, TX 78212

Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North 2102 North Loop 1604 East San Antonio, TX 78232 (210) 495-8221

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