Esther Deines Schnell Haggstrom
Esther Deines Schnell Haggstrom, a life-long resident of the Portland area, passed away on March 4, 2005, three days after her 92nd birthday.
Esther began life as the 10th of 12 children born to Ludwig and Katherine Deines, Volga Germans who immigrated to the United States during the Russian Revolution.
Esther was a fastidious, strong-willed young lady with a penchant for details, nice clothes, and facts and figures. On October 21, 1934, she married John J. Schnell, and life as a family on Crane Street seemed to be unfolding as the true American dream.
In 1958, John Schnell and his brother, Phil, founded Market Supply Co., a business specializing in the sale of meatpacking and processing equipment and supplies. The business grew and prospered along with the American economy.
Then, in 1970, John was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away on June 26th of that year. During John’s illness, Esther gathered her strength, sharpened her pencils, and actively engaged herself in the bookkeeping aspects of the business, taking over John’s half of the partnership. In 1971, she and her son, Donald, became co-owners of Market Supply Co. She retired from the company in 1991 at the age of 78.
The rest of Esther’s life story is one of overcoming illness, adversity, and tragedy with strength, courage, and incredible faith.
Five months after the death of her husband, John, her oldest son, Dennis, was killed in an airplane accident. Shortly thereafter, Esther was diagnosed and treated for cervical cancer. Within 2 years, she was diagnosed with and overcame breast cancer as well.
Throughout it all, Esther maintained her impeccable appearance, ran a successful business, was active in her church, and met each new day with faith and an undaunted spirit.
In the summer of 1976, Esther married Jack Haggstrom, a gentle, kind, and handsome man who owned a business across the street from hers. They were happily married until Jack’s passing in 1987.
Within a year of losing her second husband, Esther’s youngest son, Donald (who had worked with her at Market Supply), was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Donald passed away in June 1988.
At 75 years of age, Esther had lost two husbands, both of her sons, had overcome two bouts of cancer, and had four young grandchildren left without a father. Friends and family watched in awe as she marched into the future (impeccably dressed) to guide her grandchildren, manifest her faith, and enjoy life.
Today, two of her grandchildren still own and successfully operate Market Supply Co., Inc. Until one year ago, Esther remained on the Board of Trustees of her church and, to the end, was mentally alert, balancing her checkbook to the penny.
Esther lived a very full life. She was an independent thinker — strong and courageous. She demonstrated her philosophy that women should be strong, have opinions, and not be dependent upon any man for their survival. She maintained a constant faith despite the difficulties that came her way.
In a beautiful statement, one of her family members summed up Esther’s life in this way: “Aunt Esther had a life that many of us will never know. She suffered and experienced losses that we can’t even imagine. But never did I see or hear her express any suffering. She always held her head high, and she was always proud of her clan.”
Esther is survived by four grandchildren, James Grant Schnell of Seattle, Suzanne Schnell Triesch of Portland, Amanda Marie Schnell of San Francisco, and Marianne Elizabeth Schnell of Portland; six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services for Esther were held at Rivercrest Community Church in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, March 9, 2005. Interment was at Rose City Cemetery.
Esther was a life member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) International and a former member of the Oregon Chapter of AHSGR.
Esther began life as the 10th of 12 children born to Ludwig and Katherine Deines, Volga Germans who immigrated to the United States during the Russian Revolution.
Esther was a fastidious, strong-willed young lady with a penchant for details, nice clothes, and facts and figures. On October 21, 1934, she married John J. Schnell, and life as a family on Crane Street seemed to be unfolding as the true American dream.
In 1958, John Schnell and his brother, Phil, founded Market Supply Co., a business specializing in the sale of meatpacking and processing equipment and supplies. The business grew and prospered along with the American economy.
Then, in 1970, John was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away on June 26th of that year. During John’s illness, Esther gathered her strength, sharpened her pencils, and actively engaged herself in the bookkeeping aspects of the business, taking over John’s half of the partnership. In 1971, she and her son, Donald, became co-owners of Market Supply Co. She retired from the company in 1991 at the age of 78.
The rest of Esther’s life story is one of overcoming illness, adversity, and tragedy with strength, courage, and incredible faith.
Five months after the death of her husband, John, her oldest son, Dennis, was killed in an airplane accident. Shortly thereafter, Esther was diagnosed and treated for cervical cancer. Within 2 years, she was diagnosed with and overcame breast cancer as well.
Throughout it all, Esther maintained her impeccable appearance, ran a successful business, was active in her church, and met each new day with faith and an undaunted spirit.
In the summer of 1976, Esther married Jack Haggstrom, a gentle, kind, and handsome man who owned a business across the street from hers. They were happily married until Jack’s passing in 1987.
Within a year of losing her second husband, Esther’s youngest son, Donald (who had worked with her at Market Supply), was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Donald passed away in June 1988.
At 75 years of age, Esther had lost two husbands, both of her sons, had overcome two bouts of cancer, and had four young grandchildren left without a father. Friends and family watched in awe as she marched into the future (impeccably dressed) to guide her grandchildren, manifest her faith, and enjoy life.
Today, two of her grandchildren still own and successfully operate Market Supply Co., Inc. Until one year ago, Esther remained on the Board of Trustees of her church and, to the end, was mentally alert, balancing her checkbook to the penny.
Esther lived a very full life. She was an independent thinker — strong and courageous. She demonstrated her philosophy that women should be strong, have opinions, and not be dependent upon any man for their survival. She maintained a constant faith despite the difficulties that came her way.
In a beautiful statement, one of her family members summed up Esther’s life in this way: “Aunt Esther had a life that many of us will never know. She suffered and experienced losses that we can’t even imagine. But never did I see or hear her express any suffering. She always held her head high, and she was always proud of her clan.”
Esther is survived by four grandchildren, James Grant Schnell of Seattle, Suzanne Schnell Triesch of Portland, Amanda Marie Schnell of San Francisco, and Marianne Elizabeth Schnell of Portland; six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services for Esther were held at Rivercrest Community Church in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, March 9, 2005. Interment was at Rose City Cemetery.
Esther was a life member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) International and a former member of the Oregon Chapter of AHSGR.
Source
Obituary for Esther Deines Schnell Haggstrom (source unknown). Edited.
Last updated October 7, 2025