Esther Moriarty, 86

Esther I. Moriarty, age 86, of Cottage Grove, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 6, at the Norris Square Presbyterian Home in Cottage Grove.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park. Visitation will be held on from 4-7 p.m. Friday, at the Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th St. S., Cottage Grove and also 1 hour prior at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Esther Ida Moriarty, the daughter of Stephen and Anna (Geck) Horst, was born Feb. 19, 1926 in Glen Ullin, N.D. As she grew up, she frequently helped out at the family meat market and was a graduate of Glen Ullin High School in 1944. Esther spent some time as a country school teacher before meeting the love of her life, Daniel Moriarty. They were united in marriage on Dec. 30, 1946 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They lived in Minneapolis for a few years while Dan attended St. Thomas College. Shortly after his graduation they moved to Morris, Minn., where they lived for several years to begin his teaching career and together they started their family.

In 1954, they moved to Newport and Esther took a job at the Montgomery Wards Catalogue Store, where she worked for many years. Most recently, Esther and Daniel were residents of Norris Square in Cottage Grove.

Her focus was always on her family and loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved cats, quilting, gardening, playing bridge and bird watching. She was a dedicated and active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Esther's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Norris Square, Dr. Julie Vogel, and Dr. Todd Smith, for giving their mom such wonderful care and attention.

She is survived by her husband and companion of 65 years, Daniel; children, Peggy (Gary) Nelson, Tom (Terri) Moriarty, Mary (Fran) Graves, Steve (Barb) Moriarty, Patt (Rob) Rowland, Dan (Maurreen) Moriarty; grandchildren, Barb (John), Aaron (Liesl), Brian (Diana), Jeff, Greg, Michelle (Jason), Angie, Mike, Kaci, Jacob, Kelly, Scott (Kris), Sean (Jessica), Erinn; great-grandchildren, Sam, Max, Grace, Anna, Luke, Amanda, Jackson, Jillian, Deja, Zander and Gwenivere; and brother Gordon (Marietta) Horst.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Anna Horst; sister, Jeannine Stoltz, infant son, Joseph; son-in-law, Gus Hofschulte.

Tags: obituaries

Sign the guestbook

Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.

Terms & Conditions