Esther (Kembel) Fries, 84, of Fort Morgan, died January 31, 2008 at Colorado Plains Medical Center. She was born May 11, 1923 in Fort Morgan, Colorado to John Kembel Sr. and Katherine (Sagel) Kembel. The oldest of thirteen children, Esther helped her parents with many household and farm duties, and enjoyed her many siblings. As a young adult during WWII, Esther moved briefly to Denver, where she worked flipping fan belts at Gates Rubber Factory. On February 23, 1947, she married WWII veteran Harold Fries, and they began farming in Fort Morgan. Over the next fourteen years, their family grew to include children Donald, Allen, and Jane. Esther and her family were active members of the Christ Congregational Church during this era, where Esther served as a Sunday School Teacher. In 1969, Harold, Esther and Jane moved to Oregon, living briefly in Tigard and then settling in Beaverton. The family joined the Evangelical Congregational Church in Portland. After retirement, Harold and Esther's roots drew them back to Fort Morgan in 1991, where they built a lovely home on farm property they had owned throughout their years in Oregon. They lived in the country until 2003, when they moved to town. Esther's declining health forced her to move to full time nursing care in April, 2005. Esther was a loving homemaker, wife, and mother who faithfully cared for, encouraged, and prayed for her family and friends. Her beautiful smile and gentle spirit blessed all who knew her, even through the last years of her life when she persevered through severe health limitations. A member of Immanuel Evangelical Church in Fort Morgan, Esther served with the Ladies Fellowship and participated in the prayer chain. Her quiet but deep faith in Christ, formed at an early age, guided and strengthened her throughout her life. Esther was preceded in death by her father, John Kembel Sr.; mother, Katherine Kembel; brother, John Kembe Jr; brother, Ruben Kembel; brother, Dan Kembel; sister, Rose Krening; and sister, Carol Saunders. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Harold Fries (Fort Morgan, CO); son, Donald Fries (Salem, OR); son, Allen Fries (Littleton, CO); daughter, Jane Fries (Fort Morgan, CO); brother, Benjamin Kembel (Arvada, CO); sister, Miriam Hoffman (Fort Morgan, CO); sister, Rachel Meininger (Brush, CO); sister, Sally Law (Mesa, CO); sister, Ruth Krening (Fort Morgan, CO); sister, Linda Klein (Englewood , CO), and sister, Lillian Peek ( Lafayette , CO). Visitation will be Sunday, February 3, 2008 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Heer Mortuary in Fort Morgan. Funeral Services will be Monday, February 4, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Evangelical Church in Fort Morgan. Memorial gifts may be made to the Immanuel Evangelical Church. The Heer Mortuary in Ft. Morgan is in charge of the arrangements.