Esther Elaine Bishop Sivert's Obituary
Esther Elaine Bishop Sivert, 74, passed away peacefully at her home in Lehi, Utah on
December 10, 2019, after a valiant battle with cancer. She departed this life surrounded by
loved ones, holding the hand of her eternal sweetheart. Her final hours were spent with family
singing hymns by her side, which was one of her greatest joys in life.
Born September 26, 1945 in West Union, Iowa, Esther was the fifth of six children of Clifford
Wilson Bishop and Agnes Benita Saltsgiver. She grew up on a dairy farm where she learned the
value of family, hard work, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Esther graduated with a double degree in music and elementary education from Upper Iowa
University. There she met another music student, Dale Sivert, who became her eternal
companion. Dale introduced her to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and after
gaining her own testimony of the gospel, she was baptized on November 19, 1971. Dale and
Esther were married on December 7, 1972 in the Logan Utah Temple. They eventually settled in
Orem, Utah, where they raised eight children in a busy home filled with laughter and love.
In so many ways, Esther was a teacher. She taught her children and grandchildren to love
music, to love one another, and to love Christ. She taught the gospel through her many church
callings. And she taught countless children as a music teacher and as a classroom teacher,
including 18 years teaching at American Heritage School. She was a bright light to her students
and a positive influence on all who knew her.
Esther’s musical talent and beautiful singing voice blessed many lives. She was a dedicated
member of her ward choir, and was also an excellent soloist. She sang duets with her favorite
singing partner, Dale, for many special family and church events. Their shared love of music will
be a lasting legacy cherished by all their family.
Esther served joyfully in many Church callings within the Primary, Young Women, and Relief
Society. She diligently served alongside her husband when he was called as President of the
Hidden Meadows Branch in Orem. She and Dale served as full-time missionaries in the Utah
Orem Mission from May 2018 to May 2019, when they were released due to her declining
health. Through all her service, she demonstrated unwavering faith in Christ.
She will be remembered for her quick wit, vibrant personality, and compassionate heart. Many
happy memories were made in her home. She was always up for a game of Yahtzee,
Aggravation, or Scrabble. She could frequently be found putting together a puzzle, tending her
garden and canning its bounty, or cheering on her Cougars in a BYU football game.
Undoubtedly, the thing she loved most was spending time with her husband, children, and 33
grandchildren.
Esther is survived by her husband Dale, her siblings Bonna Gehring and Neal Bishop, her eight
children and their spouses: Ben (Erin) Sivert, Bill (Megan) Sivert, Rebecca (Bruce) Jasper, Bob
(Shelli) Sivert, Jake (Marianne) Sivert, Buffy (Sam) Bentley, Bethany (Hardy) Cherry, and
Julianna (Braden) Allred, and her 33 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents
and her siblings Sally Buchholz, Clarence Bishop, and Harry Bishop.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 17, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 1801 W 700 S, Lehi, Utah. A viewing will be held at
the same location on Monday, December 16, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on
Tuesday. Interment will be at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah,
under the direction of Premier Funeral Services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers,
donations be made in Esther’s name to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or Primary Children’s
Hospital.
What’s your fondest memory of Esther?
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Share a story where Esther's kindness touched your heart.
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