Esther was born on August 27, 1915 in Box Elder, SD to Hans and Irene (Kross) Bertelsen. She lived all of her 100 years within a 50 mile radius of Rapid City. After high school she worked as a receptionist for Dr. Freida Radusch, the first woman doctor in Rapid City. In the office next door was a hard working chiropractor named Edwin Hoff. Everyone called him Doc. They were married on February 15, 1937.

They later bought a farm south of Rapid City. Doc continued his chiropractic practice and farmed also. Esther fed the combine crews, raised chickens and geese and raised three children. After Doc's death in 1957 she joined the work force. At Sears she worked as a phone operator doing catalog sales. She was a bookkeeper and receptionist at a plumbing business. Finally she found her niche as office manager for the Girl Scouts for 20 years.

In later years Esther and her two sisters, Helen McIntyre and Sylvia Brown, traveled throughout the United States. They returned to their mother's family home in Iowa, traveled to Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. Together with her brother Howard and his wife Margie they traveled to Denmark where their father was born. Later that trip would be repeated with her three children and their spouses.

Esther loved people and was active in Trinity Lutheran Church, Altrusa, Republican Women, AARP, and her Depression Glass club. She was a docent at the Journey Museum and the Dahl Fine Arts Center. As a volunteer at Rapid City Regional Hospital she began by delivering reading material to patients and later worked in the gift shop. She could start up a conversation with anyone often inviting them to have lunch with her.

Her family was blessed with her great love for them. She is survived by her three children Kay (Marvin) Paschke, Rapid City, Jim (Miriam), Lead, and Robert "Tyler" (Bob), New Town, PA. She took great pride in her 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren to whom she was always called "Gram". Her nieces and nephews were very special to her, especially Margot Burton and Joanne Shorb. Esther greatly appreciated all the wonderful care givers and friends at West Hills Village.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Doc, two sisters Helen McIntrye and Sylvia Smith Brown and her brother Howard Bertelsen, one grandson, one great granddaughter, and her sons-in-law Robert Gay and Norbert Hamling.

A visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30pm, Thursday, May 26, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Wilbur Holz officiating.

Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery.