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Esther Louise Marie (Heiden) Kehrer was born on May 15, 1909 at the family home in Raisinville Township, Monroe County, Michigan. She was the fifth child of Heinrich and Emma (Stock) Heiden.

She attended nearby Bridge School through the 7th grade.

On May 26, 1945, Esther married Norman Henry Kehrer at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Ida, Michigan. They lived in Ida on W. Albain Road and on Prairie Street.

Norman was born March 2, 1901 and died August 31, 1974 at the age of 73 in Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe. He had two children from a previous marriage but he and Esther had no children.

Esther died on August 17, 1996 in Ida at the age of 87 and she is buried with Norman at the St Joseph's Catholic Church cemetery.

 

Esther attended Bridge School and completed the 7th grade. Arithmetic was her favorite subject, and helped on the farm doing chores and helping in the house. She went to work at the Weis Factory for 25 cents an hour.

Their attendants were Edna and Harry Weaks. Esther wore a blue dress. In case you don’t know what a "belling" is, that is when all the newlywed’s friends and families surprise them by getting together and basically, making a lot of noise (ring bells, horns, pots & pans) and then they party. This is what everyone did for Norm & Esther at their place on W. Albain Rd. All Esther’s brothers and sisters came (even Grandma).

Ted remembers going to Aunt Esther’s and Uncle Norm’s and play cards and drink beer (that seems to be a favorite past-time with the whole family.

Norman Kehrer was the son of Frank and Lena (Larch) Kehrer. He was born on May 2, 1901 in Ida, MI. He was married to Melvina Soncrant on August 27, 1924. She died September 23, 1930. He had one daughter, Eileen (Mrs Hubert) Kreps of Ida. He was preceded in death by a son. Esther and Norman did not have any children.

Heinrich (44) and and his wife, Emma (30) were living on what was then called River Road (now 8420 Dixon Road) with their children August John (9), William Leo (7), Elsie (5), Dorothy (3) and Esther (1). Clarence Miller was living with them as a "Servant" but more likely a farm worker.
They were listed as living at 2 River Road which is now 8420 Dixon Road. Heinrich (55) and Emma (40) were living with their children William Leo (17), Elsie (15), Dorothy (13), Esther (11), Henry Wm (9) and Libbie (5). On April 20 of 1922, Heinrich/Henry died suddenly of a heart attack.

Note: Listed living next door to the west was George Wakefield (78) whose father was from Vermont and mother from France. No children or spouse were listed at that time.
Emma (50) lived with her eldest son, August John (29) at 414 Eighth Street in the City of Monroe. Her children, Dorothy (23), Esther (20), and Libbie (14) also resided at this address.
Emma (59), August John (38), Dorothy (33) and Esther (31) lived together in Ida, Michigan. Emma was listed as having finished the 4th grade in school. August John who went through 8th grade was a hired farm hand who earned $150 the previous year. Dorothy worked in the box shop of a paper mill and earned $530 while Esther was employed by a trucking firm earning $480 the previous year. Dorothy completed 8th grade and Esther 7th grade in school.
Esther (40) and Norman (49) lived at 7810 Prairie Street in Ida, Michigan.