Esther Elizabeth Oestreich (Wilhelm)

Esther Elizabeth Oestreich (Wilhelm)

Esther Elizabeth Oestreich (Wilhelm), 91, passed away June 28, 2024 in Spokane, Wash. Esther was born in Ritzville to parents Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Wilhelm on October 27, 1932. She joined five siblings, Henry, Lydia, Dena, Doris, and Frieda. Later, two younger brothers joined the Wilhelm family, Robert and Richard, and together they grew up in Ritzville.

While growing up, she worked at the movie theater and continued to do so after high school. Additionally, she worked part time at the city clerk’s office. Esther graduated from Ritzville High School in 1951. That same year, she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Oestreich on October 28, 1951. Together they had 4 children, Jeff, Greg, Darci, and Todd. They raised in a home that they built together in 1954. Esther spent a majority of her years caring for and raising her kids. The family spent many years fishing, camping, and going to the Oregon Coast. Bob and Esther purchased a time-share in Fairmount, Canada and visited once a year. They both enjoyed traveling and made multiple trips to Hawaii and visited Germany, Paris, and Mexico. In 1986, Bob and Esther bought the Standard Oil Company, known now as Oestreich Distributing, which their son Greg helped run. Esther worked part-time as the bookkeeper for the company for 20+ years.

Unfortunately, in April 1990 she lost one of her sons Greg, in a tragic car accident. She was heartbroken over the loss, but kept his memory alive by always speaking highly of everything he did in his lifetime. Then in 1994, they traveled to a Chevron National Convention in Hawaii and decided to build a gas station near the I-90 freeway. The gas station opened in 1996, named Bob’s Chevron Food Mart, which is still ran today by their son Todd and daughter-in-law, Michele. During these years, Esther continued to run the bookkeeping for the distribution company.

She also helped take care of her grandkids that lived in Ritzville and loved supporting them in all their school adventures, sports, fairs, and rodeos. Esther also enjoyed playing piano, watching hummingbirds, hosting the ladies card groups, and being involved in the Red Hat society. Esther was very proud of her German heritage and spoke of her father often. She was an avid Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, and Gonzaga Bulldogs sports fan. Bob and Esther also enjoyed traveling after retirement, participating in many Sinto Group trips, Reno with friends, as well as the Oregon Coast with their grandchildren.

After Bob passed away in June of 2019, she decided to move to Spokane into Orchard Crest Assisted Living. During this time, she enjoyed many activities including crafts, playing bingo, wine nights, and walking inside and outside of the property. The past year and half, she particularly enjoyed spending time with her great-granddaughter Hadleigh Mae. She loved telling all the staff about her and would always bring her into the dining area to show her off. Esther lived an extremely full and adventurous life. She will forever be missed, but she’d want everyone to take comfort knowing that she is reunited with her loved ones in Heaven.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, both parents, Jacob and Elizabeth, stepmother, Mary, siblings Lydia, Doris, Henry, son, Greg, granddaughter April, and grandson, Derrick. She is survived by siblings, Dena, Frieda, Robert, Richard, son, Jeff (Lois) Oestreich, daughter, Darci (Pat) Kennedy, son, Todd (Michele) Oestreich, and grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Frost, Amy (Brock) Jones, Tracy (Andrew) Brown, Kayla (Nick) Portrey, Logan Kennedy, Haley (Johnny) Carson, and Skyler (Maleah) Oestreich and numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Viewing will be Thursday, July 18th, from 1-5pm at the Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville. Services will be held at Ritzville Trinity United Methodist Church, Friday, July 19th at 10:30am. Following the service, the family will have a private burial and then host a reception at the church.