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Born in Austin, Texas into the family of Lutheran pastor Karl G. Manz and Alwina Luker Manz, Esther Anna Clara enjoyed the love and companionship of three sisters and an older brother. From her birth on August 26, 1914, she was ever a caring and affectionate Christian who always put the best construction on everyone's words and actions. Her home language was German, and her first six years of schooling were at an all-German Lutheran school. An apt student, she quickly learned English after entering public school. At UT Austin, Esther earned her degree in home economics and then heeded her father's counsel to teach for at least two years before marrying the love of her life, Herman F. Barsun, a San Antonio native, in 1937. They grew together over sixty-six years. Through her early involvement in the Walther League and many other church activities, Esther had trained her mind to recall more names than found in most phone books. If you were Lutheran and lived in Texas, she could recite nearly all your relatives--aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. If she hadn't sung at their weddings, she could tell you who had. Blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, she continually raised it in song to our Creator, both in choral singing and in frequent solos. Four children soon enriched the growing Barsun family. Moving from San Antonio to Sharpsville, Pennsylvania in 1942, Esther made friends quickly with neighbors and church acquaintances, endearing all with her joy in the Lord's many blessings. After her youngest began school, she resumed teaching home economics, now at Sharon High School. When the Barsuns returned to San Antonio in 1961, she taught at Connell Middle School and then at Churchill High School, where she mentored many students in the Co-Op vocational program. A long-time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Esther was active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League; she held a variety of elected offices, including president. A choir member for many years, she also served on the Altar Guild. As a volunteer she counseled many at the Christian Assistance Ministry. Having gained experience through service on Redeemer's School Board, Esther later served on San Antonio Lutheran High School's Board of Trustees. But Grandma Barsun was her most joyful role, encouraging and often supervising her grandchildren's many activities. She was an empathetic and attentive listener, so her kind words halved our sorrows, and her enthusiasm doubled our joys. The loss of her dear husband in 2004 saddened her deeply, yet within a few months, she had regained her focus. Rather than live alone, she stayed for a time with older daughter Carolyn and husband Bill. But health problems made necessary her 2006 move to Dallas to with live with daughter Jeannine and her husband Ted. Esther died on October 3rd, preceded in death by her brother Martin Manz and sisters Olga Haschke, Mildred Osaba, and Ruth Studtmann as well as their spouses. Also preceding her to Heaven were in-laws Frank and Irene Heintzen and Helen W. Barsun. She is survived by daughter Carolyn Ann and husband Bill Gisler of San Antonio; son Herman F. Barsun, Jr. and wife Rita of Bloomington, Indiana; daughter Helen Jeannine and husband Ted Fogwell of Dallas; and son Karl F. Barsun of San Antonio. She has, in addition, nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grand-children, as well as many wonderful nieces & nephews and "adopted" daughters Julianne and Peggy. Visitation with the family will be Friday, October 14th 4:30-7 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15th at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2507 Fredericksburg Road. A graveside service will follow at Mission Burial Park South. In lieu of flowers, the Barsun family would appreciate donations to the Organ Fund of Redeemer Lutheran Church, to the Lutheran Hour Ministry, or to Redeemer's general memorial funds.

Tributes

Esther Anna Barsun

August 26, 1914 - October 3, 2011