Esther Carolyn Christner

Esther Carolyn Christner

Wayland

Esther Carolyn Christner, 83, of Wayland, Iowa, died Friday, January 23, 2026 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. She was born April 1, 1942 in Burlington to Carl Henry and Doris Louise Dadisman Miller. On April 13, 1958 she married Ronald Edwin Christner and they later divorced.

Carolyn attended New London Schools and received her GED through Iowa Wesleyan College. For twenty-five years, she worked at Whitesell Manufacturing, retiring in 2013. Previously, she worked at the former Turkey Hatchery and the Sale Barn Café in Wayland. She was a member of Brighton Community Church and a past participant/leader with Mary’s Circle Church Group. She was a member of PEO Chapter AQ and enjoyed meeting with friends at Wayland’s Tuesday Coffee Group. Her most important hobby was keeping up with her grandchildren’s school activities. She loved attending sporting events and music programs and was most grateful for online streaming when she was no longer able to attend. She was an excellent card player and enjoyed fishing.

Surviving Carolyn are her children Ronda Hennings of Bonaparte, Wendy (David) Lynn of Brighton and Eric (Keirsten) Christner of Wayland; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings June (Don) Angstead of Mt. Pleasant, Dr. Don (Carol) Miller of Washington, Iowa, Robert Miller of Cedar Rapids, Jack Miller of Mt. Pleasant, David Miller of New London and Sherri Miller of Des Moines. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Lloyd and Carl Edward Miller.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, February 2, 2026 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Rev. Rick Zickefoose officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family greeting friends from 1:00 pm until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Burge Cemetery, New London. A memorial has been established for PEO Chapter AQ. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.