WOODARD, Esther Esther Josepha Kaufmann was born March 6, 1929 the 12th of 13 children to Frank and Clara Kaufmann in Cottonwood, ID. She graduated in 1947 from Lewiston High School and met Al Woodard from Clarkston, WA. They fell in love and married. They started their family in 1948 and moved to Spokane, WA in 1952. She worked like crazy being the perfect mother and housewife to her executive husband entertaining with great class and taste for all of their marriage. In 1960 they moved to Newman Lake, WA where they bought 740 acres of land to start a cattle ranch. They had three more children rounding out the family with six boys and five girls: Nannette, Greg, Loreen, Arne, Mark, Kevin, Steve, Curt, Marlee, Julie and Michelle. Mom was very active at St. Mary's Catholic Church and School, Holy Names Academy and Gonzaga Prep helping tirelessly on the school auctions and foundations. She also volunteered to work on election days in person at the polling locations. She had multiple careers including retail, real estate, and heavy equipment operation. Esther passed peacefully Saturday, April 3, 2021 at home surrounded by her children. She is survived by all 11 of her children, 49 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and one brother Cornelius Kaufmann of Lewiston, ID. Mom's pride, joy and mission in life were her huge family. What a rich legacy! A Vigil and Rosary will be held Friday, April 9th at 6 pm at St. Thomas More Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 10th at 11 am at St. Thomas More Church. A private Inurnment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Esther would be honored by Memorial Contributions to help ease the suffering of children given to Joya Child and Family Development fka Spokane Guilds' School.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Apr. 7, 2021.