Esther Larson

DEATH NOTICE FOR ESTHER LARSON
Esther Larson, age 87 of Osakis passed away early Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Golden Living Center in Moorhead. Funeral services are Tues., Aug. 26 at 3:00 pm at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church in Osakis, MN with Rev. Steve Hilde and Rev. Dale Pepelnjak giving the message. Musicians are the Sauk Valley - Salem Choir with Vicki Larson as organist. Guitarist is Joel Larson and soloists are Nathan Larson and Sydney Larson. Interment is at the church cemetery with honorary casket bearers being all of her grandchildren. Active bearers are grandchildren, Joel, Nikoli, Matt, Jeff and Sydney Larson, Leann Maltby. Visitation hours are from 4 - 8 pm on Monday, Aug. 25 at the church with another one hour visitation before the service begins on Tuesday.

LIFE HISTORY FOR ESTHER LARSON
Esther Nickoline Larson, 87, of Osakis, MN and formerly of Pelican Rapids, MN died August 23, 2014 as a result of a stroke on August 3, 2014.
She was born on January 11, 1927 at home on the farm to Nickolie and Emelia (Oscarson) Nelson. She graduated from high school in Belmond, Iowa. Her next four years were spendt attending college, two years at Waldorf College in Forest City IA and two years at Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Esther's education prepared her for a job in Owatonna, MN as a Parish Worker. It was at Lutheran Bible Institute that she met Roy, a tall handsome man who became her husband in 1949. After more schooling for Roy at Pacific Lutheran College in Tacoma, WA and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, they moved back to his family dairy farm near Osakis, MN in 1952.
Esther was a woman of many talents. She was involved in church activities which included Choir Director, Sunday School/VBS teacher and the Ladies Aide. Many children learned to play the piano from her. In 1978, Roy, Esther and their youngest son,Peter moved to a home by Lake Lida near Pelican Rapids, MN. Since she no longer had cows to milk, her hands were kept busy sewing quilts, baking kringla and lefse and solving crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed leading a weekly sing-a-long at the nursing home.
The focus of her life was her commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and responding to the call of Matt. 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations. She sought to serve the Lord with the gifts that she had been given. She along with Roy supported many missions that involved teaching and translating the word of God into many other languages.
Esther is survived by her 7 children, Philip (Marlene) Larson, Osakis, MN, Nathan (Ruth) Larson, Fergus Falls, MN, David (Vicki) Larson, Fargo, ND, Norman (Gaylene) Larson, Chandler, AZ, Miriam (Alan) Olson and Kristi (Craig) Maltby, Kalispell, MT, Peter (Linda) Larson, Fargo, ND; 18 grandchildren, Joel Larson, Osakis, MN, Ross (Jen) Larson, Charlotte, NC, Brent Larson, Scottsdale, AZ, Nikoli Larson, Medora, ND, Adam (Jeanine) Larson, Reno, NV, Matthew (Maria) Larson, Moorhead, MN, Amos Larson, Mayville, ND, Brian (Carmen) Larson, Barnesville, MN, Jeff (Laura) Larson, Paia, HI, Bethany (Brandon) Juarez, Chandler, AZ, Steve Horkovy, Phoenix, AZ, Jody (JD) Scribner, Cataldo, ID, Nicholas (Jennifer) Maltby, Joshua (Paige) Maltby and Leann Maltby, all of Kalispell, MT, Haleigh, Sydney and Rylan Larson, Fargo, ND; 14 great grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Meyer of Holland, OH and sisters-in-law, Eleanor Nelson of Belmond, IA and Irene Larson, Osakis, MN; many nieces and nephews.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Roy in 2006; grandson, Aaron Olson, four brothers and their wives, Norris (Florian), Clifford (Elnor), Everett (Clara), Reuben Nelson; 2 sisters, Ruth (Russell) Lonnevik and Pearl Nelson who died as an infant; brother-in-law, Alfred Meyer.

Instead of floral pieces, the family requests that donations be sent to a mission organization of your choice.