Esther Marie Taylor, 92, of Ludington, passed away Sunday December, 6, 2015 at Autumn Winds Adult Foster Care Home in Ludington.

She was born June 17, 1923 in Ludington, the daughter of John and Clara (Kolberg) Christensen. Esther, known as “Marie” was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and religiously served the Lord by teaching Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, and was chairman of the Prayer Chain. Carrying on the legacy of her great-grandparents who formed the church, she was baptized, in 1937 confirmed, and married Robert C. Taylor on July 5, 1944 in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She sold Avon for many years. She was a homemaker until 1978 when her youngest son Mark graduated from High School. She then entered the workforce for four years, working in the cafeteria of Ludington High School where she loved and enjoyed working with the LHS students. During WWII, she worked at the Star Watch Case inspecting and repairing watches for being water tight.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband Robert Taylor on November 11, 2012 after 68 years of marriage. By three brothers; Jack (Cleo) Christensen, Robert Christensen, Frank (Waldina) Christensen, one sister, Marquerite (Orval) Andersen, three nephews; Robert Schultz, Tommy Christensen and Darell Anderson and one sister-in-law Elizabeth (Harold) Schultz.

Marie is survived by three sons; Richard Clayton (Connie) Taylor of Manistee, Reverend Kim Robert (Melody)Taylor of Tucson, Az., Mark William (Sherri) Taylor of Grand Rapids and grandchildren; Aaron (Mary Beth) Taylor of Grand Rapids, Shannon (Ryan) Vallier of Scotts, Jeremiah (Keri) Taylor of Tucson, AZ, Rachel (Jeff) Taylor-Daniels of Tucson, AZ, Joshua (Shannon) Taylor of Ft. Collins, CO, Melissa Taylor of Tucson, AZ, Josiah, Jesse, James and Jared Taylor of Tucson, AZ, Morgan (Anthony) Noffke of Grand Rapids, Brady Clayton Taylor and 14 great-grandchildren. Marie is also survived by sister-in-law Arlene Christensen and special friends Arthur & Lynn Murphy of Ludington, Shannon Murphy of Grand Rapids, Jean Groendahl of Ludington as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services For Esther Marie Taylor will be held Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ludington with her son Reverend Kim R. Taylor and Father Mic Shriver officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until time of service.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Hospice of Michigan.

The family has entrusted Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center with arrangements. Please visit Marie’s personal page at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo or memory with the family.

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