Esther Wattenberg

August 13, 1919 - July 19, 2019

Age 99, Professor of Social Work and member of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota and Democratic Farmer Labor Party activist, passed away on July 19. Preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, the distinguished cancer researcher Lee, son, Richard; daughter, Lynn; parents, William and Rose; and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth. Survived by children, Mark, Anne (Peter), Binks (Jill), and Elizabeth (John); eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Ms. Wattenberg was a pioneer in the study of and advocacy for the welfare of underprivileged women and children. She was the founder and director of the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare at the University of Minnesota, taught and mentored numerous students in the Master’s program in Social Work at the University of Minnesota, was called on frequently to testify at legislative committees at the state and national level on the issue of child welfare, was a prolific contributor to the opinion pages of the Minneapolis Star/Tribune and the New York Times, and worked tirelessly to elect the luminaries of the DFL. Funeral service 3:30pm on TUESDAY, July 23rd at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave S., Minneapolis. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Esther Wattenberg Fellowship in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Checks payable to Fund #6258. Mail to UMF, 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010. Or, give online at https://z.umn.edu/EstherWattenbergFellowship.