E. Esther Frazier

E. Esther Frazier (100), of Chippewa Falls, passed away January 15, 2026, after a short stay at Dove Healthcare - West in Eau Claire.

Esther was born on February 10, 1925, on a farm in the Town of Lima, near Durand, Wisconsin, to Levi L. Sankey and Edna E. (Hart) Sankey. Her mother died shortly after her birth, and she was cared for by her paternal grandparents, George W. and Lora Ette (Sweet) Sankey until her father remarried Fern E. Wright.

She attended the Howard School, a one-room school near the home farm. She graduated from Durand High School in 1942. She was employed by Wisconsin Bell/Ameritech for 38 years, retiring on December 1, 1985.

Esther married Claude I. Ackley on June 28, 1947. A son, George, was born on January 22, 1955, and passed on January 23, 1955. They were later divorced. On May 18, 1974, she married Richard C. Frazier at the First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls. She continued to be an active member until her death. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a 75-year Member of Ellsworth Chapter #116: Order of the Eastern Star. Prior to consolidation, she was a member of Chippewa Chapter #112 where she was Worthy Matron many times and served as Secretary over 10 years. She was Past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin 1988-89, a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, attending many national conventions, a member of the Wisconsin Telephone Pioneers, Chippewa Valley Historical Society, and Past President of the Chippewa Valley Stamp Club. She enjoyed collecting antiques, especially China head dolls, knitting, and counted cross stitch.

Esther is survived by her niece, Amy (Rick) Nelson of Iron River, WI; nephews, Steven (Joanne) Dunbar of Kelso, WA, Perry Oda of Mililani, HI, Jim (Debbie) Oda of Mililani, HI, Thomas (Patty) Dunbar of Port Charlotte, FL, Jack (Marcie) Oda of Auburn, WA; two step-sons, Eugene (Julie) Frazier of Roswell, NM, and Curtis (Nancy) Frazier of Pahrump, NV; three grandchildren, Alexander Frazier, Jessica Frazier, and Melissa McLeod; many grand-nieces and nephews; great grand-nieces and nephews; along with many other loving family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (2011); parents, Levi & Edna; two stepmothers, Fern Wright Sankey and Marie Erickson; a son, George Ackley (1955); sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Rex Dunbar; sister Lois Oda; and a niece, Jean Marshall.

The visitation will be on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, 44 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls with an Eastern Star Tribute at 7 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W Central St, Chippewa Falls, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Ed Williams will be officiating. The interment will be at a later date in The Northern WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Rural Spooner, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: First Presbyterian Church Endowment Trust Fund, 130 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 or Cancer Research thru Order of the Eastern Star- Wisconsin Grand Chapter, 275 Sunset Drive, Dousman, WI 53118-9349.

In Esther’s words, “Thank you Sonja and Milford Lechleitner for the love, support, and help you gave me for so many years. Without you and your family I would not have been able to enjoy my home.”