Sturgis Esther Viola Mittleider, 83, died Wednesday May 17, 2006 at Sturgis Regional Long Term Care Unit. Memorial services will be 10 AM Wednesday May 24, 2006, at Black Hills Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sturgis, SD with Pastor Keith Nelson officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at Isabel Cemetery in Isabel, SD. Esther was born in Ashley ND. At the age of 3 her family moved to Wakapola, then at age 4 moved to McLaughlin where her father worked in the butcher shop. At age 6 the family moved to Dupree settling on the farm and she attended school through 5th grade. She then stayed home to help take care of her siblings. She left home at age 16, working various positions as housekeeper in the area. At age19 she married Jacob Mittleider in Dupree and they worked on a farm owned by Eddie Pressler. In 1946 they moved to Faith where she worked as waitress and housekeeper for many families in the community. Along with helping others she and husband, Jake raised their own family of four children; 3 sons and 1 daughter. After spending 46 years in Faith, Esther and Jake moved to Sturgis in 1992, due to Esthers many medical problems. It was hard for them to leave their many friends and relatives for this move. Esther retired in Sturgis and spent many hours as a volunteer at the Sturgis Senior Citizen Center and the also as member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary. In 2003 Esther entered the Sturgis Regional Long Term Care Unit. Survivors include 3 sons, Lester Mittleider & wife Donna Chadron, NE, Calvin Mittleider Sioux Falls, SD, James Mittleider Sioux Falls, SD; 1 daughter Peggy Harding & husband Richard Sioux Falls, SD; brothers Harold Gross Seattle, WA, Clarence Gross Sturgis, SD; sister Edna Wilson Rapid City, SD, Janice Selby Rapid City, SD; 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Jacob, 2 grandchildren, parents, 4 brothers, 2 sisters.