Mary Francis Hesterberg, 84, of Gifford passed away peacefully at home with her husband by her side the morning of May 30, 2023. She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Visitation will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 4 – 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gifford.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation at 9:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford. Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford. Baier Family Funeral Services of Paxton is handling all arrangements.

Mary was born July 9, 1938, in Rantoul, Illinois, a daughter of Jason and Esther (Crozier) Craft. She married Eldon Hesterberg August 6, 1965 in Rantoul. He survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Christina (Christian) Jepsen and Cindy (Larry) Lustfeldt, both of Gifford; six grandchildren, Zachary (Sarah) Gann of Gifford, Justin (Rebecca) Gann of Monticello, Christopher Gann of Champaign, Carla (Zach) Swanson of Marengo, Lily Jepsen of Gifford, and Matthew Lustfeldt of Champaign; five great-
grandchildren, Charlotte, Abigail, Mason, Sophia and Micah Gann; two brothers, Jim (Pam) Craft of Hampton, VA and Gerald (Donna) Craft of Brooksville, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Howard Craft.

Mary graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1957. She celebrated having her lifelong friendships with several girlfriends that started back in grade school! Mary worked many jobs over the years including at the Rantoul Movie Theater, the telephone company, Mercy Hospital Credit Union, and The Spreader, Inc. Her favorite occupations over the years were being mother, homemaker, Grandma and Nana.

As much as she loved her husband and family, she loved her Savior Jesus even more. She was able to run this race because He gave her the renewed strength needed every step of the way. Her faith shaped her life, from beginning to end. And she loved to share her faith and her love of Jesus with anyone who would be willing to listen. Her testimony of faith and a life well-lived is an example her family hopes to live up to as well.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Children's Haven International or St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.