Esther Pauline Digmann

Esther Pauline (Grimes) Digmann, 67, boisterous personality, football fan, camping enthusiast, and most of all, devoted family-woman and friend passed away Wednesday, March 8th 2023 after a long battle with Lymphoma. She was surrounded by her immediate family at her home in Salem, Oregon at the time. Esther is survived by her best friend and husband of 40 years, Leroy Allen Digmann and their two children Kyle and Katie.



Esther was born in Albany, Oregon on August 6th, 1955 to Keith Monroe Grimes and Alene Georgine Grimes and was a devoted Catholic and Campfire Girl, spending much of her time volunteering at her local church and being a camp counselor. She graduated from West Albany High School in 1973, where she played the French Horn in marching band. Later she moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where she married Leroy on September 18th, 1982.



Esther spent most of her life being loved by her husband and laughing at his jokes while keeping the family grounded. Her spirit could always be felt before she entered a room, she was resolute and cared so passionately for her family and friends. Her love was unending. Together her and Leroy created a family that thrived off of a love for the outdoors and traveling. Taking camping trips to Detroit Lake with their camper trailer and Disneyland family vacations. Esther is survived by 2 children, Katie (Jake) Lindemann and Kyle Digmann; 3 grandchildren, Hunter, Sawyer, and Penelope; 1 brother Patrick (Vernadine) Grimes, and 2 sisters, Betsy (Bill) Williams and Rebecca Carpenter. Esther believed every person in her family to be perfect in every way, and it was pointless to disagree with her.



Esther loved a lot. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, reading books with them while enjoying a Disney movie. She loved rooting for her favorite football team, always yelling across the house “Go Beavers!”. She spent her free time reading Harry Potter and mystery novels, knitting, embroidering and always planning the family’s next adventure. She truly knew that life wasn’t about always being happy, but about having something happy to look forward too.



Later in life she would go back to school to pursue her passion for learning. She obtained a Bachelors’ in Sociology from Oregon State University on June 11, 2011. After graduating she became a teacher’s aide at St. Francis Catholic School, where she assisted with elementary education. After which she retired to be a full-time Grandma.



Esther will be missed by all those who she loved so fiercely.



Esther’s funeral is set for March 24th, 2023, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Keizer, Oregon, officiated by Father Gary Zerr at 10:30AM. Esther will be interred at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.