Esther G. Weaver

Esther Genevieve (Heggen) Weaver was born on August 12, 1919 in Badger, Iowa to Ole Jr. and Isabelle (Warren) Heggen. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class in 1938 at Callender High School. She earned a scholarship and gave it to her sister Inez "Oletta". Esther exchanged love letters with James Henry Keith Weaver during World War II and then on January 8, 1947 the two were united in marriage in Callender, Iowa. The couple was blessed with three daughters Karyl, Janel, and Janet Ann. The family made their home in Jefferson, Iowa where Keith farmed until his death in 1977. Esther worked as a switchboard operator in Callender, a bank teller in Somers, a cook in the Jefferson schools, and she was a Pink Lady at the Greene County Medical Center. She loved dancing, playing cards, playing the violin, making Lefse, crocheting, sewing, drinking coffee, visiting friends, and working out at the Jefferson Rec Center. Esther married Donald Buswell in 1985. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, attended Greenbrier Methodist Church, and also went to Abundant Life Ministries with her care givers. Esther was the oldest member of the Does "Elks". She loved spending time with her grandchildren and especially her great-grandchildren. Esther passed away at her home in Jefferson on November 23, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents Ole Jr. and Isabelle Heggen; husbands J. Keith Weaver and Donald Buswell; daughters Janet Ann Weaver, Janel Cadden, and Karyl Thompson; great-granddaughter Alexandra Esther Stokes; brothers: Earl Heggen (Margaret), Mervin Heggen, and Garland Heggen; sister Inez Heggen; and stepsons Ronald Buswell and Michael Buswell. Esther is survived by her eight grandchildren: Erin Rae Stokes (Anthony) of Burlington, Washington, Kelly Lee Cadden of Oak Harbor, Washington, Charles Francis Thompson (Katherine) of Allendale, NJ, Kristina Kay Mullen (Duane) of Castlewood, South Dakota, John Kurt Thompson of Ames, Matthew Oren Thompson (Leah) of Jefferson, Michael Kieth Thompson of Des Moines, and Philip Wesley Thompson (Rebecca) of Boone; eight great-grandchildren: Henry Keith Thompson, Theodore Dean Thompson, Kezia Isabelle Mullen, Thomas Oren Mullen, Tobias Colyer Mullen, Julian Ryker Thompson, and Rowan Elizabeth Thompson; sons-in-law Pastor Charles Thompson of Jefferson and Bill Cadden of Oak Harbor, Washington; stepchildren: Donald Buswell (Ann), Linda Booth (Larry), Sheri Parks, Susan Harman (John), and Dorene Tuhn (Jack); nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. *Does Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. *Visitation with family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the church. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2023 also at the church. Burial will take place in the Jefferson Cemetery. Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.* Previous Events Does Memorial Service DEC 1. 5:00 PM (CT) First United Methodist Church 307 S Wilson Street Jefferson, IA 50129 Visitation & Family Greeting Hours DEC 1. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CT) First United Methodist Church 307 S Wilson Street Jefferson, IA 50129 Funeral Service DEC 2. 10:30 AM (CT) First United Methodist Church 307 S Wilson Street Jefferson, IA 50129