Esther Birch

Esther Felicia Birch, age 73, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born on May 30, 1952 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Rosanaldo Vigil and Bernice Vigil, Esther grew up with a love of family, tradition, food, and storytelling that shaped her entire life.

On August 5, 1972, she married the love of her life, Don Birch, in Green River, Wyoming. Together they built a home rooted in faith, laughter, and flavor. Esther loved food, especially shrimp, in every possible way. She spent hours in the kitchen making fresh tortillas with Don, apple turnovers for her son, and even welcomed the neighborhood kids over to learn how to roll tortillas by hand. Her table was always open and her meals always seasoned with love.

Outside the kitchen, Esther found peace in nature. She loved spending time at Half Moon Lake, watering her roses in the garden, and sitting quietly in prayer and meditation. She also had a wicked golf game, never afraid to swing big, laugh loud, and play with joy.

She was especially proud of her children and grandchildren, who were the joy of her life. She had a special way of carrying stories, whether from her own life or through the people she loved, and her voice will live on in the memories of all who knew her.

There was truly no one quite like Esther. She was unique, one of a kind, with a heart wide open and giving to everyone she met. A free spirit who could never be tamed, she is now running joyfully free, just like her beloved dog, Koda.

She also loved reading the obituaries and often said they were the best stories in the paper. We think she'd be tickled to know she finally got her own and probably wish she could edit it herself for more drama and flair.

Esther is survived by her husband, Don Birch; son Ryan (Becky) Birch; daughter Dawn Caldwell; and her grandchildren Kaden (Mackenzie) Birch, Ethan Birch, Annaleigh Caldwell, and Andie Caldwell. She is also survived by her brother Jerry Vigil, and sisters Marian Iwasaki and Juanita Allen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosanaldo Vigil and Bernice Vigil, and her sister Lorraine Vigil.

A Mass in Esther's honor will be held this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Saint James the Greater Catholic Church in Vernal, Utah. A second Mass will be held on November 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Green River, Wyoming. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The family invites all who knew her to honor her memory by sharing their favorite story or making a tortilla in her honor because Esther knew that stories, food, and laughter are what keep us connected, even after goodbye.