Esther Motis, 86, died at Prairie View Care Center in Limon, Colorado on January 5, 2004. She was born June 22, 1917 in Joes, CO, to Edwin and Fern (Packer) Skidmore. Her mother died when she was 24 months old, and she was primarily raised by her aunt and uncle, Evelyn (Packer)Weaver and Clark Weaver, on a farm near Matheson, CO, until she married. In 1934, Esther married Robert Mahieu, who preceded her in death. They were residents of Simla, Limon, and Colorado Springs, CO, before moving to California in 1953. There were two children from this 23 year union; Ginnie Anthony currently of Matheson, CO, and infant son, Larry, who died at eight months of age. Esther and Bob divorced in 1956.

She married George Motis of Hankinson, ND, in 1958. They lived there until his death in October 1987. They were married 29 years. She moved back to Colorado Springs in 1988, to be near family. For the most part, she was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, sewing, jewelry making, camping and fishing, dancing, and writing poetry and short stories. She also wrote and copyrighted a song.