Estella “Stell” Street, age 88, formerly of Caledonia, died on Thursday afternoon, April 14, 2011, at the Sterling House in Marion.
She was born in Norton, Ohio, on September 3, 1922, the daughter of the late Manley and Florence (Leffingwell) Gettys. She graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1941.
On April 19, 1942, Estella married John H. Street. He preceded her in death on September 12, 2005, after 63 years of marriage.
Being a devoted wife and loving mother, Estella extended that love and passion to many youth in Marion County by being a 4-H club originator and advisor. She founded the LaRue Rough Riders in 1958, which then became Marion County Rough Riders in 1965.
Under her direction, the club recorded many firsts in 4-H horse club work. Its annual foal award program was one of only two in the country at that time and was the subject of numerous news articles. Estella was very proud of these accomplishments, but her greatest reward was seeing leadership, citizenship, sportsmanship, and horsemanship developed in the members of her club. She retired in 1969 as advisor.
Estella also found pleasure and friendship in planting and tending an herb garden called “The Patch of Peace,” one of the largest touring gardens in central Ohio. She created many foods and decorative items from her garden which her visitors enjoyed. Her garden was started in 1977 and later dedicated to her daughter, Deborah Street Gearhiser, in 1980 after her death. Two verses found in Estella’s garden were: “Who plants a seed beneath the sod, and waits to see, believes in God.” And: “Welcome to my garden, come rest a spell. It is here amidst the spicy fragrance of the herbs that a measure of peace finally comes.” After closing her herb garden, Estella continued to find enjoyment in perennial flower gardening for many years.
Estella was an active member of Salem Evangelical Church.
She will be dearly missed by her son, the Rev. John Patrick (Diane) Street of Prospect; three nieces: Dianna Click, Gwen (Effert) Woods, both of Marion, and Beverly (Jack) Wright of Attica who were raised by John and Estella; five grandchildren: Michele (Shawn) Dennison, Bethany (Shannon) Hardy, Matthew (Angie) Street, Timothy (Amanda) Street, and Jennifer Street; eight great-grandchildren: Suzanna, Kyle, Katelyn and Sara Dennison, Cameron and Meghan Hardy, and Sidney and Avery Street; and also many nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Estella was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah; a son, Michael; and three brothers and four sisters.
Her family will greet friends from 2 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2011, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring her life will also be held there on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Marion Cemetery. The Rev. Hudie Holifield, Rev. David Lippert and Rev. Dwight Hord will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Evangelical Church, in care of the funeral home.
For those wishing to express their private condolences to Estella’s family, you may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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