Esther Rose Trasak Bartachek Auld passed away January 3, 2012 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, in Marengo, following a long illness. Visitation will be held Friday, January 6 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Hrabak Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, Iowa, located at 1704 7th Avenue. The funeral service will be held there on Saturday, January 7 at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Vining. Esther was born January 31, 1923 to Emil and Ella Kesl Trasak on their rural farm home, five miles southeast of Chelsea, Iowa. Esther and her brother Leonard graduated from Salt Creek #6 country school. Weekly visits between the Trasak and Kesl family members added to their busy farm life. In 1943, Esther married William Bartachek. Their first home was on a rented farm northwest of Belle Plaine, at which time 3 children, Dorothy, Jean & Bill, were born. In 1947, the Bartachek family moved to the farm where they would call home for the next 19 years. During that time, 5 more children were born: Larry, Darlene, Mary Ann, Donald and David. In September 1966, William passed away. That December, Esther purchased a home and her 4 younger children and her moved to Belle Plaine. The large yard provided a perfect place for a vegetable and flower garden. Within a short time, she took employment at the local dry cleaners and then later at Benco Manufacturing, from which she retired in 1984. Esther's spare time was filled with various activities, playing cards, going out for supper, working with several local support organizations and sewing dozens of quilts for various institutions. She filled scrap books of past and present family members and of travel opportunities. In 1984, Esther married Charles Auld. They made their home at Esther's residence in Belle Plaine and they traveled together. Her greatest activity and pleasure in life centered around her children and grandchildren, as they visited, called, or wrote. Phone calls and visits with her cousin, Ruth Ann Ulch, were also treasured. Esther is survived by 7 children: Dorothy (Lan) Nowotny of Cedar Rapids, Jean (Fran) Behounek, William (Bev) Bartachek, Mary (Scott) Weekly all of Chelsea,Darlene (Max) Leonard of Ladora, Don (Ann) Bartachek of Belle Plaine and David (Julia) Bartachek of Swisher, 15 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 1 step-great-grandchild and 1 great-great grandchild. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Rose Ann Trasak, 3 nephews and 1 cousin. Preceding her in death were first husband - William Bartachek, son - Larry Bartachek, second husband - Charles Auld, parents - Emil and Ella Kesl Trasak, in-laws - Charles and Emma Kaufman Bartachek and brother - Leonard Trasak.