Esther Brackenbury Obituary

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Esther Loree Brackenbury, age 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Esther was a loving mother of four children, and an adoring wife to her beloved husband, George Brackenbury of 70 years.

Esther was born on February 13th, 1934, in Nampa, Idaho to Kempie & Fay Gregg. She grew up in Nampa with her parents and two older sisters, Ruth and Marjorie. Her grandmother and grandfather Bartels, who she adored, lived down the street, along with other family members nearby. She was influenced by her parents to be loving, kind and follow the word of God. As a young child she helped on her family property, where they raised a cow, had chickens and a garden.

Some of her favorite memories were going to her grandmother and grandfather's home, where she loved jumping on the feather bed. Another fond memory was while her grandfather would nap under the tree, she would stick her finger in his mouth and he would bite down, causing them to laugh and laugh. Mom loved her dog, tubby, and on one occasion entered him in a parade. She dressed him up and pushed him in a decorated doll stroller, winning a 1st place gold cup trophy, which she still has today. She loved riding her blue and white bicycle and reading her favorite book "Sonny Elephant."

If you ever wanted to find Esther on a Wednesday, Friday or a Saturday night she would be at the roller-skating rink.

As a young adult she began a correspondence course in telegraphy. She moved to Salt Lake City to finish the course with the Intermountain School of Telegraphy for the Union Pacific Railroad. In early 1953 while attending school she met her future husband, George Brackenbury.

Besides raising her four children, Esther enjoyed working for numerous employers, including Transamerica Insurance, where she won a trip to the 1984 XXIIIrd Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, Royal Insurance Agency and finally retiring from Target as an Office Clerk in 2018 at the age of 83.

Esther loved to travel with her husband and children and was always planning the next vacation. It was important to Esther to make as many memories as possible with her husband and children that would last a lifetime. She loved traveling to as many different states as possible. One thing Esther enjoyed was camping in the mountains and sitting on a rock enjoying the peaceful surroundings of what God had created. She also loved listening to Christian music and hearing the rain.

As a mother, she made sure her family was always taken care of and loved. She instilled in her children a love for God, honesty, work ethic, and to strive to do their best. Esther was faithful in donating to several organizations that would help others in need along with her faithfulness in supporting her church.

She was the heart of our family—steadfast in prayer, gentle in spirit, and fiercely loving. A true prayer warrior, she lifted every name in quiet faith, believing in the power of God to carry us through. Her love was deep and unwavering, wrapping each of us in comfort, guidance, and quiet strength. She had a way of making everyone feel seen and cherished, always ensuring things were fair and just. At Christmas, she’d lovingly handed out packages of toilet paper to each family member, a tradition that brought laughter and joy to all of us. Her kindness was constant. Her life was a testament to faith. Never wavering in her love for God. The kind of love that never outlooks a single soul, a legacy of love that will live on in the lives of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids and everyone she touched so deeply.

She is survived by her 4 children, Richard (Marcee), Karen (Jeff), Connie (Curtis), Nancy (Dave), 9 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Her sister Marjorie Warnock, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband George Brackenbury, parents Kempie and Fay Gregg, sister Ruth Waldemer

Viewing and Service will be at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 E 7800 (Bengal Blvd), Cottonwood Heights, UT.

Viewing; Friday May 16, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Celebration of Life Service; Saturday 17, 2025, 1:00 pm.

Friends and family my visit from 12:00 to 12:45 pm prior to the service