Esther Johnsen

Esther Olson Johnsen, 100, Grand Forks, ND, died Monday, October 18, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She lived her last 10 years receiving loving care on 1st floor, Heartland Wing at 4000 Valley Square Nursing Home in Grand Forks. Esther was born in Benson County, near Minnewaukan, ND, March 25, 1910, the eldest child of Lars and Emma Olson. She started out her life learning the Norwegian language and continued to cherish her Norwegian heritage. One of her life's highlights was traveling to Norway in 1982 with her husband, as a gift from her sons. Esther attended country school through 8th grade, worked in Minnewaukan as a seamstress and "house-girl", and helped on the family farm. In her young adult years, she moved to Minneapolis to attend the Lutheran Bible Institute. It was there she met her handsome husband, Osten Johnsen, who was an immigrant from Norway. They married July 6, 1938 in Minneapolis. Together they had 5 sons. Osten became an employee of the BN Railroad, which took them to several locations in North Dakota during their years together. Maddock, Bismarck, Killdeer, Heaton and Oberon were some of those towns. During their retirement years, they continued to live in Oberon until 1987 when they moved to Grand Forks, ND. Esther was an active member of Faith Evangelical Free Church, Grand Forks, ND and enjoyed all her friends at Prayer and Share and Prime Timers. Everyone felt Esther's gift of love when visiting with her. She served her Heavenly Father and devoted her life to honor Him. Her ability to sew was outstanding, and she was a self-taught pianist. She had a special love for her 5 sons, and enjoyed being with them any chance she had, especially going out for a ride with them. She is survived by 4 sons: Arnold, Grand Forks, ND, Lowell (Lori), Fargo, ND, Raymond (Rachel), Westby, WI, and Daniel (Arlene), Henderson, NV; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, brother, Stanley Olson, Minot, Sister Thelma Paulson, Minot, Sister in-law Jean Olson, several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, son, Arthur, sister Ruby, brothers Oscar Olson and Lloyd Olson, and two infant brothers. Funeral Services will be held at Faith Evangelical Free Church on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 with a time of visitation starting one hour before. Interment will be in the Immanuel Cemetery, rural Maddock, ND on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.