Esther Anna Murtha, age 89, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away May 15, 2011, at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

She was born February 6, 1922, in Dupree, SD, to John Michael and Anna Eva (Gruba) Wiederholt. She had five brothers and two sisters, Esther being in the middle.

Esther graduated from Lebanon High School in 1940. She joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) on September 1, 1943, and served in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, as well as several stateside locations. She was honorably discharged on November 27, 1945, returning to South Dakota after her military retirement.

On January 3, 1947, she married Raymond J. Murtha in Woonsocket, SD. They had five sons between 1948 and 1958. Her first son died shortly after birth. Esther was widowed in April 1959.

Esther worked as an Administrative Assistant for a physician and as a Postal Clerk among other jobs, while living in Rapid City, SD. She moved to Denver, CO, in 1973, working for the US Postal Service, then for the Air Force Finance Center at Lowry Air Force Base, CO, retiring in 1990. She remained in Denver for several years then moved to Hot Springs. She moved to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veteran's Home in Hot Springs several months before her death.

She is survived by her four sons, James (Rebecca) Murtha of Oklahoma City, OK; Gary (Gloria) Murtha of Aurora, CO; Donald 'Buck' (Patty) Murtha of Black Hawk, SD; Greg (Suzanne) Murtha of Aurora, CO; brother, Marvin Wiederhold of Scottsbluff, NE; sister-in-law, Agnus Wiederholt of Scottsbluff, NE; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the Black Hills National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the South Dakota National Guard and the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guards.

Arrangements have been placed in the care McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.