Esther I. Taylor of Burwell, Nebraska, formerly of the rural Amelia area, passed away on November 12, 2025, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell at the age of 97.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Calamus Trinity Methodist Church in Burwell. Pastors Stephen Williams and Stan Gurney will officiate. Interment will be in the Cottonwood Cemetery at Burwell. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Still Waters Funeral Parlor. Memorials are suggested to the Burwell Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Still Waters Funeral Parlor is assisting with the arrangements. Online Condolences may be left at www.stillwatersfuneralparlor.com
Esther Ione was born June 20, 1928, to William P. and Mary D. (Davis) Freeman on the family farm in the Bean Creek area near Burwell, Nebraska. She received her education at a rural country school.
On January 17, 1948, Esther and James Clair “Jim” Taylor were united in marriage at O’Neill, Nebraska. The couple made their first home in southwestern Holt County. They later moved to the “home place” near Amelia in the mid 50’s. Esther and Jim were married for 68 years. Following Jim’s passing in January of 2016, Esther moved to Burwell in 2018.
While Jim did farm and ranch work, Esther took care of the business details. She was a rancher’s wife that cooked many delicious meals for the hired help and hay crew; she cared for the milk cows and chicken; and raised a large garden, canning much of the produce.
In Esther’s home, you never went away hungry. She was an excellent baker and cook with fried chicken and noodles as her specialty. She also baked and decorated many wedding and celebration cakes. She was seamstress and enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Above all was her family and providing care to her grandchildren.
Esther served on the Pine Valley School Board and Holt County Election Board. She was a lifetime member of Willing Helpers Club.
Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-law, Clifford and Veronica Taylor of Amelia and Bobby and Cheryl Taylor of Burwell; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; a daughter, Debra Taylor; one sister, LuVerda Long; and six brothers, Milo, Ray, Harold, Harvey, Morris and Virgil Freeman.
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