Lola "Sally" Irene Esmay,  On May 3, 2024, Lola "Sally" Irene Esmay was ushered into Heaven to be with the love of her life, Don. At 103 years old, Sally gently, quietly, and peacefully passed away at her home, surrounded by loved ones.

Lola was born on August 13, 1920, in Woonsocket, South Dakota, to John and Laura (nee Culver) Swanson. She received her college degree (majoring in Music, minoring in English) in 1942 from Dakota Wesleyan University, where she met Donald Esmay, and also picked up the nickname "sally."

Her first 'real job' was as a music clerk at The Music Shop in Huron, SD (1940-1942), high school Music and English Teacher at Ipswich High School, Ipswich, SD (1942-1943), high school Music and English Teacher at Centerville High School, Centerville, SD (1943-1945), part time Music Teacher at both Mount Vernon High School (Mt. Vernon, SD) and Plano High School (Fulton, SD) from 1945-1946.

Sally married Donald L. Esmay on 1/13/1945 upon his return from WWII and they moved to Iowa where Don completed his PhD in Chemistry. Sally continued her teaching at Milford High School in Nevada, Iowa from 1946-1948. Sally became a stay-at-home mother/warrior when their first child (Joel) was born in 1948. Number two (Julie) was born in 1950, also in Iowa. Then the family moved to Indiana for Don's job at Standard Oil, and number three (John) was born in 1953. When Don became a research chemist for St. Paul based 3M, the family moved to Coon Rapids where the twins (Joni and Jani), numbers four and five, were born in 1957, and then the sixth (Jay) was born in 1961. When the eldest child started college and the youngest started kindergarten, Sally went back to work as an Elementary Vocal Music Teacher in Anoka- Hennepin School District, primarily at Mississippi Elementary in Coon Rapids from 1966-1982.

Sally's love of helping people didn't stop with her teaching. She also held community volunteer and leadership positions in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Coon Rapids United Methodist Church (Board of Trustees, Choir Director, Youth Music Director, Summer Bible School,
Christmas Program Music Director), Ridge Methodist Church in Munster, Indiana (originator),  Parent Teacher Associations, General Government Survey member, Anoka County Library Board (member and President), Coon Rapids Charter Commission member, Coon Rapids Senior High Band Boosters, Coon Rapids Athletic Association, Anoka County Association for Special Needs Citizens, Coon Rapids Snowflake Association, Cancer Drive, Heart Association, Easter Seals, Red Cross, Coon Rapids Federated Women's Club (member and President), Anoka Area Retired Teachers (member and President), National Education Association, Minnesota Education Association, Anoka-Hennepin Education Association, South Dakota Education Association, Iowa Education Association, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Teacher of the Year Finalist, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and she originated the Noteworthy Recyclabelles: a group of music teachers throughout the district that would perform concerts for their students at each school during the Christmas season.

In her spare time, Sally wrote and published a book entitled, "Surviving the Dirty Thirties," recounting her years growing up in South Dakota. After retirement, Sally and Don traveled to local schools teaching lessons about life without electricity or plumbing and lots of hard work. Upon retirement, Sally and Don spent a great deal of time (especially winters) traveling in their motorhome named "Robin Hood with Little John". They eventually bought a park model home in Key Largo, Florida where they spent many winters enjoying the sun, clear air, new friendships,
and happy hours! Everyone at Key Largo Kampground could follow the sound of Sally and Don's music most nights and join them in enthusiast singalongs! Lots of family and friends visited them there and returned with lifelong delightful memories! When Don passed, Sally
continued spending winters down there until Hurricane Andrew devastated Key Largo.

Well into her nineties, Sally would haul her music and instruments up to the local nursing home in Coon Rapids, Park River Estates. She would play piano and tell jokes while having the residents sing along with her. Quite often, she was the oldest person there! The residents loved the days Sally entertained because they were familiar with the music she played and didn't even need the printed sheets that she supplied. These past several years, Sally has been part of a wonderful music program called Voices of Impact, a musical organization founded for folks (and their caregivers) with memory issues. Sally, along with members of her family and friends, had marvelous experiences singing with this choir. It was a pure delight to attend their concerts.

Loving her family was Sally's greatest delight! Sally was preceded in death by her true love, Donald L. Esmay, and her dear granddaughter, Jolie Lauri Bialke. Left to honor her life and legacy are her six children: Joel (Suzette) Beck-Esmay, Julie (Al) Hawkinson, John (Deborah) Esmay, Joni (Kevin) Hogie, Jani Esmay Bialke, Jay (Leticia) Esmay; her  grandchildren: Monique, Joshua (Molly), Marcus (Amy), Jennifer (Beau), Trevor, Megan (Mike), Sarah (Bo), Mandie (Jeff), Mackenzie (Gabe), Mariah (Kevin), John, Don E, Katherine (Chris), Kyle, Collin (Jaqueline), Brinkman, Caleb, Analicia (Alex); and her great-grandchildren: Genevieve, Alexander, Maxwell, Veronica, Esmay, Luke, Ada, Oscar, Lewis, Allison, Léiana, Vivien, Emmylou, Davis, Lilith, Arlo, Evalyn, Calam and Ramona.

Sally had four explanations for living beyond 100: faith in God and His Son, Jesus; a commitment to family and friends; a positive attitude that included humility, gratitude, humor, love and patience; and a healthy lifestyle of good food and exercise.

Memorials are very much appreciated and can be offered to either the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church Choir or her memory care choir via Faith Lutheran Church (please put Memory Lane Singers in the memo)

We know if Mom were here, she would hug each one of you, call you "sweetie", and let you know you were an important part of her wonderful, long life.