Esther Mae Amstrup

 Esther Mae Amstrup, 95, formerly of Grand Forks, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016, in a care facility in New Hope, MN.  Esther Mae Amstrup was born June 13, 1920, the daughter of Andrew and Mabel (Helling) Ulsaker in Fargo, ND.   She attended elementary schools in several different states due to her parents’ frequent moves, graduating from Kindred High School in 1938.  She continued her education at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, where she completed three years of training to become a registered nurse. In the summer of her 16th year, at a small county fair, she met Robert W. Amstrup, and they were sweethearts forevermore. In 1943, when Robert was sent home on medical leave after serving as an infantryman in the South Pacific theater of war, they married in St. Louis, MO.  After  Robert received his degree from what was then the NDAC, Esther Mae and Robert lived in Langdon, Washburn, Park River, and Grand Forks, where he served as County Extension Agent, while she enjoyed her roles as wife, mother, and part-time nurse at both St. Ansgar’s hospital in Park River, and Deaconess hospital in Grand Forks, in addition to occasional work as a private duty nurse.  Esther Mae cherished her time at home with her children, Rebecca, Robert D., and Jeffrey, providing them with memories of coming home after school to a kitchen full of the scent of freshly baked cookies and homemade suppers. Time at a Minnesota lake every summer was a family tradition, and eventually they acquired a family cabin on Pelican Lake.  Serendipitously, two of Esther Mae’s sisters settled into nearby cabins resulting in many years of sun and fun filled memories with extended family.  Esther Mae also treasured her friendships and was always ready for a lunch or coffee get-together. Sadness entered Esther Mae’s life when Robert died at the age of 67, in 1985.  Although she managed to become more independent than she ever believed possible, she still missed having a companion in life.  After almost 13 years of widowhood, through the efforts of family members, she became re-acquainted with Howard Hasledalen whom she had met as a teenager.  They married in 1999 and enjoyed their years together until Howard died in 2008. Esther Mae is survived by her children, Rebecca Esades, (James), Minot, Robert D. Amstrup, (Cathy), Bismarck, Jeffrey Amstrup, (Patti), Brooklyn Park, MN; grandchildren, Molly, Jamey, Vince, Marit, Bridgit, Ashley, Spencer, and Bailey, and great-grandchildren, Amanda, Allyson, Demitri, Harper,  Gianni, Greta, and Gabriel, sister, Elizabeth Sylvester, McLean, VA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, and second husband, Howard; parents; sisters, Inez Caldwell, and Norma Sholl, brother, Norman Ulsaker, and brothers-in law, William W. Sholl, Christopher Sylvester, and sister-in-law, June Ulsaker. Funeral:  10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016, in Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 S. 9th St.   Grand Forks, ND. Visitation:  One hour prior to the service in the church on Saturday. Interment: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2 in  Kindred Cemetery, Kindred, ND