Esther Blecha

Esther M. Blecha, 80, Grand Forks, died Wednesday, November 12, 2008 in Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center, Grand Forks. Esther Mintz, the daughter of William and Katherine (Fiechtner) Mintz, was born at Monango, North Dakota on January 28, 1928. She was educated in Dickey County, North Dakota, and graduated from Monango High School. She attended Normal & Industrial School at Ellendale, North Dakota, and graduated in 1969 from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Education. She married Clarence O. Blecha on September 11, 1947 in Monango, North Dakota. They lived at Ellendale, North Dakota, Lawrence, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas before moving to Grand Forks in 1951. Esther was a German teacher at Central High School in Grand Forks for 16 years, retiring in 1985. Esther was devoted to her family, active in the American Association of University Women, Retired Teachers Association and the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. She was an avid reader, the family historian, and expert at solving crossword puzzles. After retirement, she translated a diary and other documents of historical interest from German to English. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Marie, and husband Clarence who passed away in 2003. Esther is survived by three daughters, Kathy Manus, Jane Plumhoff, and Kae Blecha, her sisters Alma Utecht, Louise Wonacott and Nora (Dave) Buel, brother Edwin (Verona) Mintz, brothers-in-law Gayle (Marie) and Don Blecha, and family members Lulu Manus and Elmo Plumhoff and numerous nieces and nephews. Services: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2008 in Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1710 Cherry St., Grand Forks. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service Friday, November 14, 2008 in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks and for the hour prior to the service in the church. Interment: Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks. On-line guest registration is available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com