Esther Kalista Borte

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Lifelong Toledo resident, Esther Kalista Borte passed away at her home Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.  She was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Winlock to Ed and Edna (Knab) Kalista, the third of 17 children.  Esther graduated from Toledo High School. She married Tony Borte of Cowlitz Prairie May 29, 1945.

After her husband, Tony passed away in 1971, she ran several businesses out of her home including a sewing studio and a janitorial service. Esther also served as dispatcher for District 2 Fire Department.

She was very creative and involved with many community activities.  Esther served as a Scout leader, taught sewing as a 4-H leader, was a Band-Aid to the Toledo schools music program, taught quilting classes at the Toledo Senior Center and volunteered many hours at the Center. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and served on the City of Toledo Park Board. But what she loved most was spending time with her family.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Tony; daughters, Margaret Melton and Angela Borte.

She is survived by three brothers: John Kalista of Wasco, Ore.; Kenneth Kalista of Coos Bay, Ore.; and Ray Kalista of Gold Hill, Ore.; three sisters: Frances Strite of Rogue River, Ore., Mary Guasp of Toledo and Betty Hause of Quartzsite, Ariz.  She is also survived by her children:  Ed (Jean) Borte of Toledo, Mary (Barry) Blair of Winlock, Christine (Tom) Mershon of Seattle, and John Borte (Karrie Shrum) of Toledo; son-in-law, Joe Melton of Castle Rock; 10 grandchildren; 19 great- grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Xavier Church, Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at 11 a.m.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  A reception will be held in the church social hall.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Esther Borte Memorial Water Park Fund in care of Timberland Bank, P.O. Box 245, Toledo, WA 98591.