Esther Hoover, 86, passed away November 29, 2025, at her home in Independence.  She was born November 16, 1939, at Butler, Missouri, and was the tenth and last child of Ted and Eleanore Elefson.

Esther grew up on the family farm a few miles south of Butler.  She graduated from Butler High School in 1956 and then began her college work at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa.  After two years at Graceland she taught in a one-room school near Hays, Kansas.

In 1958 she married Gary Hoover, her high school sweetheart.  They lived in Butler for fifteen years while Esther taught in the Butler school system and completed her college degree at Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg. It was in Butler during this time that their three children were born.  

In 1973 the family moved to Raymore Missouri for Gary’s work, and Esther taught in the Raymore-Peculiar school system, and later worked for the Social Security Administration as a Claims Adjuster.  After her retirement from her federal government position she again returned to teaching at Hope Day School.  

Esther’s solid faith and intelligent friendship will be deeply missed by her church family at South Crysler Restoration Branch.  For many years, she and Gary gave their valuable support to the work of Christ’s gospel there.  In 2006 she and Gary went to Australia and served as missionaries for six months to further the work of the church.

Being the youngest in the large Elefson family, Esther was always a good and delightful aunt for many nieces and nephews and was the holder of a rich family inheritance.  

Esther is survived by her husband, Gary Hoover, their son Bret (Nancy) Hoover, and their two daughters, Lisa Hoover and Dana (Harold) Edwards.   She is also survived by a sister, Kathryn (Gayle) Sacry, of Whitehall, Montana, nine grandchildren, Bradley (Nicole) Hoover, Andrew (Alana) Hoover, Scott (Mikayla) Hoover, Forrest (Amy) Hagen, Hannah (Garrett) Shelton, Stephen, David and Elizabeth Gulick and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at Royer Funeral Home, 1823 N. Blue Mills Road, Independence, Missouri, on December 8th, 2025.  Visitation is at 1:00 followed by a service at 2:00.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Center Place Restoration School, 819 W. Waldo Avenue, Independence, Missouri 64050.  

Obituary submitted by the family.

Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600