Esther Vernetta Folkerds, 90

Esther Vernetta Folkerds, 90, of Janesville, died Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Shell Rock Healthcare Center in Shell Rock.

Esther Brocka Folkers was born January 6, 1934, in rural Albion Township, Butler County, Iowa, near Parkersburg, the daughter of August C. and Mary Ellen Curtis Brocka. She received her elementary education in rural country schools, Albion #2 and #6, and graduated from the 8th grade with the highest marks in Butler County. In 1949, she entered Parkersburg High School and graduated from there in 1953. During her high school career, she was very active in the organization “Future Business Leaders of America” and upon graduation, participated in a trip to our nation’s capital in Washington D.C. with other students from the University of Northern Iowa and local high schools. Esther was a very active member of the Jolly Jackson 4-H Club in Butler County, Iowa during her school years.

Upon graduation, Esther began working at the Cedar Falls Trust & Savings Bank in Cedar Falls, where she spent 35 years in various roles. She began her career as the Secretary for the bank, later working her way into management positions. In 1969 she was appointed Branch Manager for the bank at their new branch office in College Square Shopping Mall in Cedar Falls. Within a couple years she advanced to Loan Officer, Student Loan Officer and spent some years overseeing the entire teller operation of the bank. During the time as an employee of the bank, Esther was a member of several banking organizations such as “Women in Banking” and the “National Association of Bank Women”, where she served as the Treasurer for the State and attended the national convention for the organization in Denver, Colorado.

On December 14, 1954, Esther was united in marriage to John J. Folkerds in the Unity Presbyterian Church in Clarksville. They made their first home on the farm in rural Butler County and to this union two children were born. Gary Lee was born January 27, 1956, and Mari Lynne was born June 15, 1963. After some years of farming in the Butler County area, the family moved to rural Cedar Falls and later to the farm in Jackson Township, Bremer County.

Esther was baptized at the Riverview Campgrounds in Cedar Falls, by the Rev. D.J. Sessler, Pastor of the Unity Presbyterian Church. During the early years of her childhood, she attended church and Sunday school at the Congregational Church in Parkersburg and later the family attended Unity Church.

The family was very involved in school activities, 4-H activities and saddle clubs and related horse activities. Esther was a local 4-H leader for many years, as well as Bremer County 4-H Horse and Pony Club Leaders, directed the judging team for Bremer County and traveled to many out of state shows and activities with Mari as she participated in the horse activities. They were instrumental in the organization of the Janesville Saddle Club and held offices, planned horse shows and other activities. Esther was also involved in the Seroptimist Club of Cedar Falls, Altrusa Club, Business and Professional Women in Cedar Falls, where she served as Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Club. She was an active Sunday School teacher, church Treasurer of Washington Chapel United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women of East Janesville United Methodist Church, rural Denver, where she served as Secretary, Vice President and President for several years. While member of the Unity Presbyterian Church in Clarksville She and her husband were involved in the Mariners Club, a club for married couples in the church. Both Esther and John served several years as leaders of the youth group in both Washington Chapel and East Janesville churches.

Esther was a longtime member of the Janesville United Methodist Church in Janesville where she served in several capacities and was active with the United Methodist Women.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband John Folkerds, and a daughter, Mari Lynne, who passed away September 23, 2001.

Esther is survived by her son, Gary Folkerds of Janesville, two grandchildren; Cody (Ashley Patrick) Burkholder of Dayton, Iowa and Kenzie (Nick Hanson) Burkholder of Janesville, four great grandchildren; Cayden Burkholder, Shawn Higgins, Addi Burkholder and Dakota Burkholder, and a son-in-law, Clint Burkholder of Claksville.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly and for an hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at the church. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at Janesville United Methodist Church in Janesville with Rev. Laurie Riley officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family and online condolences may be left at kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of arrangements. 319-352-1187