Esther Bremner Merrill passed away on September 23, 2021 at her home in Republic, Washington at the age of 96. She was born on Thorp Prairie to Albert and Rebecca Tantlinger. She was raised in the Ellensburg area.

Esther began working at the age of nine and retired when she was 87 and a half years old. She helped with caring for bees, building hives and catching swarms. As a young girl she irrigated a garden the size of a city block, weeded and harvested it, and then helped with canning and cooking. At 80 pounds she was on one end of a crosscut saw helping her father cut firewood. She then used a sledge hammer and wedge to split the wood and finally stacked the wood. Esther managed a dry cleaner at the age of 17. She was employed by the Washington State Patrol and the PX at Camp Roberts in California during WWII. In Republic she worked 15 years at an Agriculture Office (ASCS), 7 years at the Ferry County Assessor's Office, 9 years in the office at Knob Hill Mines, and 23 years as an accountant. She owned two businesses: The Dungeon Ceramics and Log Cabin Accounting.

Esther was very active in the community. She belonged to numerous organizations. She served as the Red Cross representative for the Ferry County helping numerous service men and also helped local people devastated by house fires. Esther served for over 25 years on the Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee. She was very active in the Lutheran Church as she had a very strong faith.

Esther was a talented artist. She excelled in pottery, ceramics, pastels, oil painting, and wood and soap carvings. She was commissioned as a teenager to carve musical instruments out of soap for the Band Box Beauty Shop in Ellensburg, WA. Her calligraphy work was displayed at the University of Washington. She sewed, did embroidery, knitting, crocheting, and tatting.

She enjoyed reading, word search puzzles, cross country skiing and square dancing. She continued to dance until she was 90 years old. Esther found her greatest joy in helping others. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She had so much wisdom and knowledge to share with her family and friends.

Esther married Arthur Bremner on July 17, 1949. They spent 50 years together until his death. She later married Harrold Merrill who also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her four children: Allen Bremner (Lois), Kathy Bremner, Donna Bremner, Craig Bremner, and her beloved cat Ninja. Two grandchildren: Brian Bremner and Jason Bremner (Jamie). Seven great grandchildren: Robert Bremner (Kayla), Austin Madison, Felicity Clemons, Gavin Payne, Parys Payne, Cloee Williams, and Benz Bremner. Numerous nieces and nephews.

Our loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.

A graveside service will be held at the Republic Cemetery on October 8, 2021 at 12:15 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church, Forget Me Not Animal Shelter, Republic Cemetery, and HOSPICE of Spokane.