Esther Bethel, 92, of Grinnell, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on her daughter's farm in rural Grinnell and under the care of UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Hospice.

Esther's family will receive friends at the visitation held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, July 25, 2025 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday July 26, 2025 at the Grinnell UCC Church. A reception will be held from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm in the Buckley Dining Room at the Mayflower Community in Grinnell.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grinnell UCC Church, UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Hospice and Grinnell Community Theater and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Esther's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Esther Ann Jones Bethel, age 92, was born on July 17, 1932, in Tama, Iowa, to Fred A. and Alice Josephine Jones. In the summer of 1940, the family moved to a small farm on the east side of Grinnell, where Esther's lifelong love of gardening took root. She attended Grinnell schools, where she thrived in choral and drama activities. She, loved singing, playing the piano, banjo, and ukulele, and lit up every high school play and musical she joined. She graduated with the GHS class of 1950.

Esther earned her BA in Elementary Education from Monmouth College in 1953, where she continued to sing, act, and make lifelong friends through her beloved Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Her college years were full of music, theatre, and meaningful connections — a theme that would continue throughout her lifetime.

After taking graduate courses at UCLA, Esther began her teaching career in Whittier, California. There, a blind date changed her life forever — she met Charlie Bethel, an executive with AO Smith Corporation, who became the love of her life. They were married on June 19th, 1954 at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Grinnell.

Esther and Charlie eventually returned to Grinnell to raise four kids and build a lifetime of memories, living in the same home across from Merrill Park for over 60 years. That home became a hub of hospitality — Esther's legendary sing-a-longs and endless joyful celebrations were a hallmark of her love for her family and friends.

After the birth of their second son, Esther started an in-home preschool, blending her love for teaching with motherhood. Later, she taught at Davis Elementary School for 12 years, leaving her enthusiastic mark on so many in the community. Even today, more than 50 years later, former students fondly refer to her as their "favorite teacher".

When Esther retired from teaching, she volunteered to coach the GHS drama and speech program after it was canceled the same year. Years later, when she proved a program was needed, the district reinstated the program which remains even stronger today.

Esther then began her 14 year career with Iowa Valley Continuing Education where she founded the Poweshiek Leadership Program, and countless other certification and degree programs in Grinnell. Through her visionary leadership, community organizing, and tireless advocacy, she created a new education and computer center, the IVCCD campus west of town, forever changing the landscape of adult education in the region.

Outside of work, Esther was an active volunteer throughout the community. She helped found the Grinnell Community Theater and Hospital Auxiliary, was Director of Christian Education at the UCC Church and served on countless local boards. She also had a busy social calendar, staying active in P.E.O., Levart, Priscilla, and several bridge clubs. If there was a way to contribute, Esther was "all in", and enjoyed getting others equally involved.

In her later years, Esther loved traveling with her children and grandchildren across the U.S. and Europe, always ready for the next adventure. She continued gardening, arranging flowers, soaking in the sun, and she loved golf cart rides on the farm to soak in the Iowa sunsets. Esther died peacefully at home surrounded by family June 26, 2025, on her daughter's farm in rural Grinnell. Her beautiful smile, zest for life and contagious laughter are gifts we will cherish always.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband Charlie, son John (Richard), parents Fred and Josephine, sister Florence Maxwell (James), and brother Addison Jones (Marion). She is survived by her children: Chuck Bethel (Nancy), Anne Pederson (Eric), and Susie Bethel (Dianne); grandchildren: Amy Leinen (Michael), Chet Bethel (Melissa), Nick Bethel, Alexandra Brackins (Calvin), Christopher Pederson, Jordan Pederson, and Sam Pederson; and great-grandchildren: King, Nora, Jayceon, Maisie, and Dream — as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.