Esther Lucille Held Legg, 97, of Anamosa, Iowa, passed away on December 29, 2024, with her daughter Juliann by her side. She was born on March 11, 1927, near Hinton, Iowa.

Esther grew up on a cattle farm near Hinton, Iowa, and graduated from Hinton High School. She started her collegiate education at Morningside College in Sioux City.  She went on to Iowa State University to receive a bachelor's degree in Home Economics with a focus on Textiles and Merchandising in March 1949.

On September 18, 1949, Esther married Joseph Emery Legg, Jr., and together they celebrated 70 years of marriage. Their love story began at Iowa State University where they met at the ping pong tables in the Memorial Union, and their connection grew stronger through their involvement in the ISU Marching Band. Esther played the base drum! Together, they built a life full of love, family, and shared memories.

In 1950, Esther and Joe moved to Anamosa, Iowa, where they established their home. In 1957, they purchased the Liberty Street house built in 1892 and added electricity, plumbing and a kitchen before moving in.  Together they rehabbed and renovated the house, lovingly creating a family homestead.  This was Esther's primary residence until her death.  Her seamstress skills allowed her to make many clothes for the family, but also professional quality draperies and curtains for all the windows of the house.

Love of family was a core value.  Her family was her chief pillar for life and decision-making.

Esther valued education.  She believed the primary role of high education was to build crucial skills, such as critical thinking, research, design and problem solving. She was a member of P.E.O. for 67 years, helping to promote financial assistance for women's college education. As an education legacy, Esther founded the Jones County scholarship in honor of her husband. A passionate advocate, she served as a teacher, coordinator of church programming, and a 4-H club leader. Her love for education and growth extended her involvement as a 4-H demonstration or food product judge at county fairs throughout Iowa. She was a sought speaker within the church district and increased awareness about world humanitarian issues and church mission programs throughout Iowa.

Esther was an entrepreneur!  She owned her own button and belt fabricating business.  During the 1960's and 70's, it was popular to have a wedding dress with 50-100 tiny custom satin covered buttons on the back of a dress.  Zillions of those were made in our "back room".  In addition, we made wool covered belt buckles and wool covered buttons for tailored suits.

Esther recognized the importance of church for herself and for communities. She was an active member of United Methodist Church for her whole life.  Personally, it provided spiritual enrichment.  Her life dream was to participate in international mission projects. Esther and Joe joined the UMC Volunteers in Mission journeys to implement projects. For example, during one trip they built a concrete block building to create a needed medical clinic. For nearly two decades they joined a team and headed out for a two-week work mission trip in Central America.

Furthering her interest in mission work, Esther and Joe became very active in Self Help International (SHI).  For seven years, Joe and Esther took trips to Ghana, each 4-7 weeks. Sometime around 1990, Esther's task was to survey and compile research information from a broad group of mothers in Ghana to better understand why the death rate of infants and toddlers was so high.  Noble Prize laureate Dr. Norman Borloug's team reviewed the data and SHI positioned Joe and Esther to bring the new high protein corn to Ghana. In 1994, Esther's assigned task was to help the village women improve the nutrition of their infants and families. Among other programming, Esther created a song to the tune of "Are You Sleeping" to teach women that by eating the quality protein maize that Self Help International was promoting, they would have "good blood and long lives".  This method of using rhymes and songs remains a common teaching technique in Ghana, and even today.  Following in Esther's footsteps, staff nutritionists continue to work with new moms to improve nutrition for Ghana infants and families.   A couple appreciative leaders from Ghana came to visit them in Anamosa!

Throughout her life, Esther supported all kinds of Anamosa events and projects.  She served on the Library Board, the Hospital Axillary Board, and actively support Grant Wood Day events, etc.  She rarely missed a school music or theater performance. She supported the establishment of the Starlighters community theater and still has season tickets.

Esther's parents left a legacy in Morningside College.  Likewise, she wanted to leave a legacy in Anamosa.  Together with three other couples, Esther and Joe founded the Anamosa Community Foundation was established in 2004. The foundation, which now provides grants to local nonprofits, continues to make a positive impact on the Anamosa community.

In her later years, Esther became a dedicated caregiver to her husband, Joe, as he struggled with dementia. Her devotion and care were unwavering: the best care possible.

During the last 5 years as a widow, she became an avid reader. She loved watching both Iowa and Iowa State University football and basketball games. Together we watched ISU win the Pop-Tart Bowl December 28th! She savored every second she could spend with people she loved. During those past five years she was able to travel and stay with her daughters for two months each winter for family Thanksgiving and Christmas together.  She was active and mostly healthy for age 97, still living in her home.  Her death certificate notes a surprise pneumonia.  This was complicated by her age frailty. The family would like to thank Bonnie Rhomberg, Karol McGlaughlin and Sherry Hill for their loving care of Esther.


Esther's love for her family, commitment to education, and dedication to community and mission work left a lasting legacy. She was a true servant leader.  Her gentle spirit, faith, and passion for service will be remembered by all who knew her.

Esther was born on March 11, 1927, near Hinton, Iowa, to Walter Held and Mary Royse. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joseph Emery Legg, Jr., and her siblings: sisters Mary Lou Feikema, Ruth Held, and Carolyn Davies, and brothers Charles Held and Gordon Held. She is survived by her daughter, Juliann Vann, sons David (Theresa), Dean (Teri), and Janice, as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.


Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Goettsch Funeral Home, 306 E. First Street, Anamosa, IA  52205 from 3-6 pm.  The memorial service will be held Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11am at Anamosa United Methodist Church, 201 S. Ford Street, Anamosa.  A light lunch will follow in the basement of the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Anamosa Community Foundation, P.O. Box 228, Anamosa, Iowa 52205 or Anamosa United Methodist Church.