Obituary of Esther Brenneise Allen

Esther Brenneise Allen, formerly of Lodi, passed away on November 5, 2004 in Fair Oaks at the age of 89. Esther was born on December 11, 1914 in Hurtsfield, North Dakota, the youngest of 12 (9 girls and 3 boys). Her parents were Jacob Hoeger and Katharina Schock Hoeger, who immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1910. Her family moved to South Dakota in 1927. On May 28, 1935, she and Art Brenneise married, and they moved to Lodi. Arthur passed away in 1972, and in February, 1975, she married John Allen who passed away in July of 1976. Esther worked hard her entire life, working on a dairy farm with her husband. She did many things, including sewing, canning and cleaning. Esther had been a part of the Church of God -Seventh Day since it was founded in Lodi, around 1936. She had never stopped attending this church, though she hadn't been able to attend regularly since moving to an Orangevale assisted living residence. "Hugging people" was her gift. About 20 or so years ago she became the official church greeter and hugger, and she kept this up for many years. Esther is survived by her three children; Al and wife, Lou, Brenneise of Citrus Heights; Don and wife, Bev, Brenneise of Granite Bay and daughter Lenora and husband, Eldon, Crowson of Springfield, Oregon; step-daughters, Karen Cleeton of Carmichael and Sondra Kiesz of Sacramento; 9 grandchildren and 5 step-grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Rudolph Hoeger of Eureka, S.D. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Art Brenneise and second husband, John Allen; 2 brothers and 3 sisters and 6 infant siblings. Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM at Lodi Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Loren Stacy of Church of God-Seventh Day officiating. Committal will immediately follow at Cherokee Memorial Park. Visitation will begin on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Wednesday, 8:00 AM ? 8:00 PM and Thursday, 8:00AM-6:00 PM at Lodi Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of God-Seventh Day Building Fund or Sis-Q Meadows Camp.