Esther Meinen

Esther Meinen, 100, of Mitchell, South Dakota passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Edgewood Memory Care in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.

Esther Elizabeth Dorale, daughter of Ben and Marie (Lauck) Dorale was born September 15, 1925. She grew up in the Spencer area where she attended country school. She helped out on the farm which become a lifelong commitment of hard work and dedication following her marriage. 

Esther was united in marriage with Melvin “Mel” Meinen on May 4, 1955 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Spencer, SD. They lived on the farm in Hanson County until 1998 when the couple moved to Mitchell, SD. She later became a member of First Lutheran Church in Mitchell.

Left to cherish her memory are her brother, Donald Dorale of Bridgewater; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mel Meinen; brothers, Walter, Leroy, and Albert (Virginia) Dorale; sisters, Myrtle (Floyd) Terveen, Mable (Robert) Jacobsen, and Lavon (Harold) Zelmer; sister-in-law, Jean Dorale; and a host of extended family.