Esther Samuel

Dates

Obituary

Esther Samuel, 96, of Sioux Falls, SD, died peacefully on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, surrounded by her family, who stood with her, singing hymns, reciting her favorite scriptures, and sharing memories of her as she left to be with the Lord. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, July 1, at Faith Baptist Fellowship Church in Sioux Falls. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be Sunday, June 30, from 2-4:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

A live stream of the funeral service can be viewed at: https://www.faithsf.com/watch-live

Esther Samuel was born on October 30th, 1927, to her parents, Yeshvanth Kadana and Lingamma Kadana in Pegadapally, a small town in Telangana, India. She was the sixth of eight siblings, who all preceded her in death.

Esther lived her life on three separate continents and countries, splitting time between India, England, and the United States. She carried the unique experience of navigating life in the metropolitan cities of Hyderabad, India and London, England, and finding nuance in smaller communities such as Burke, Bowdle, and White Lake, South Dakota.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India and taught English for 25 years. A particularly impressive feat as English was her fourth language, behind Telegu, Hindi, and Kannada. In 1964 she moved with her husband and two children from Hyderabad, India to Hounslow, a small neighborhood in London, England, where she continued her teaching career. In 1977 she and her husband emigrated from England to South Dakota, so her husband could pursue a career in Methodist ministry. While her husband attended seminary, Esther worked at McKennan Hospital administering heating pads to patients undergoing physical therapy.

She was married to her husband, Reverend Jothaya Samuel, for 41 years. They had two sons, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Esther always wanted a daughter, and her wish came true in the form of two granddaughters and five great-granddaughters.

She was a woman of deep faith. She lived by the teachings of Jesus; to love the Lord your God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. She held great hope in a life ordained by our Creator, and she imbued peace and confidence in those around her.

Esther was fiercely independent, managing her home and finances, and living alone until she was 92. She traveled the world and loved to laugh. She greeted everyone with a kiss on both cheeks and she made everyone around her feel loved, seen, and accepted just as they were. Her family will carry on this legacy because she modeled it for them every day of her life.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Rev Jothaya Samuel, and youngest son, Dhanraj Samuel. She is survived by her oldest son, Divisha Samuel, and daughter-in-law, Rani Samuel; daughter-in-law, Debbie Samuel; grandchildren listed by age: Samantha Chalmers and her husband Luke, John Samuel and his wife Caitlin, Hannah Samuel, and Thomas Samuel and his wife Cheryl; and great-grandchildren listed by age: Evangeline, Gloria, Lilliana, Felicity, and Amali.

Additional Tribute Video: Esther Samuel (Ajji) (youtube.com)

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