Esther Ritchhart

Esther Ritchhart, age 95, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Huron, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Born Esther Kost on July 28, 1930, in Ree Heights, South Dakota, to Jacob and Lydia Kost, she was the youngest of seven children. The family moved to Huron when she was seven, and she remained a lifetime member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. On July 31, 1948, she married Merle Marvin. Together they made their home in Huron and raised three children: Cindy, born February 21, 1950; Cathy, born August 24, 1953; and Paul, born August 22, 1963.

Esther worked for 23 years in the Huron Public Schools as manager of the food service department, where her homemade caramel rolls and coconut cream pies were beloved by many. After Merle passed away suddenly on December 28, 1968, she continued working while caring for her family. In 1971 she found love again and married Abe Ritchhart on September 3. They lived in Huron for many years before retiring in 1992. Their retirement was filled with golfing and traveling on cruise ships. In 2010 they moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to family.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, both husbands Merle Marvin and Abe Ritchhart, her step-son Terry Ritchhart, and her daughter Cindy Wilmarth. She is survived by her daughter Cathy Marvin and son Paul Marvin of Sioux Falls, step-son Kim Ritchhart of Wisconsin, daughter-in-law Cheri Ritchhart of Huron, and son-in-law Ken Wilmarth of Kadoka, along with six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Esther’s family remained close, especially in her later years, with Cathy and Paul providing devoted support as she continued living in her home until the end.