Esther Hess

MOLINE, Ill. ? Esther L. Hess, 97, of Washington, formerly of Rock Island, Illinois, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Washington County Hospital and Clinics in Washington.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, Illinois, with a two-hour visitation before the service. Burial was in Moline Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Jewish Voice Ministries International, P.O. Box 31998, Phoenix, AZ 85046-1998.

Mrs. Hess was born Dec. 22, 1919, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Carl and Vera (Swank) Lawrence. She married Harold R. Hess on Aug. 26, 1939, in Davenport.

In Lillian Smith, she had a mother-figure from the age of 1 year. She was an elevator operator in the former Fifth Avenue Building in Moline for 20 years, retiring in 1981. She was a member of First United Presbyterian churches in both Moline and Washington, the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Share Care, and the Christian Friendliness Association. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross, and enjoyed traveling, reading, crafts, and painting.

Surviving are two stepsons, Charles, and Edward Hess; two nieces; and two great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, on May 15, 1987; her parents; one son, Lawrence Hess; one stepdaughter, Deloris Blodget; one stepson, Donald Hess; two sisters, Ruth C. Gordon, and Velma Alexander; one niece; and three nephews.