Esther Isabelle Svaren (Fowler)

September 30, 1931 - September 11, 2016

Longtime Ashland resident, Esther Isabelle Svaren, 84, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Asante Ashland hospital in Ashland, Ore.

Esther, the daughter of Thomas Edgar and Ruth Esther Fowler, was born September 30, 1931 in Beloit Kansas. The Fowler family moved west in 1936 to escape the Dust Bowl in Kansas. She came by train with her mom and two siblings, the rest of the family followed by driving to Oregon. She was the seventh of 10 children and grew up on the family-owned Cloverleaf Dairy. She attended Ashland schools and graduated from Ashland High School in 1949.

On June 8, 1952 she married Glen Marvin Svaren in Reno, Nev. who preceded her in death October 3, 2009. In 1964 she and Glen started MAPCO (Mount Ashland Produce Company) a wholesale produce business they owned and operated for 30 years. She and Glen retired in 1994 and spent 16 winters as snowbirds in Mesa, Ariz., where they made many good friends.

She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her hobbies included birdwatching, watching the deer in her yard, watching all sports, youth, high school, college, and pro, using her iPad, camping with family, embroidering, playing cards, BUNCO, and slot machines at The Mill or Seven Feathers Casino.

She was grateful for sharing her life with her four children and their families. Daughters, Glenda (Rick) Walsh, Terry (Phill Trusty) Svaren, Vickie (Rusty) Leard; and son, Andy Svaren; grandchildren, Roger (Heather) Walsh, Angela (Lars) Borosund, Tamara (Rick) Spence, Sondra Kuykendall, Becky (Andrew) Rux, Rachelle (Jacob) Herr, Jeremiah Svaren, Jared (Lora) Leard, and Brandi Leard; great-grandchildren, Ethan Walsh, Mackenzie and Isabelle Borosund, Amanda, Wesley, Kylie, Monte, and Gabrielle Spence, Tristina Brower, Alexis Trusty, Elijah Rux, Lexi, Ryan, Zakai, Maliya, and Gavin Leard; great-great-granddaughter, Daelynn Leard; sisters, Luella Maxine, Jane Marie, and Carol; and brothers Lowell and Ben; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Russell, Chester, Robert, and Clifford; and infant son, Mark.

The family would like to thank her wonderful, loving private caregiver team, Amy, Marilyn, Brooke, Heidi, Adele, Kim, and Yvonne. We would also like to thank the caring staff at Asante Ashland hospital.

She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Honoring Mom's request there will be a private service for her four children and their families.