Esther Marie Obenchain

Esther M. Obenchain, 86 of Devils Lake formerly of Oakes, ND died on Wednesday morning, July 18, 2007 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Esther will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Jamie Desai officiating. Graveside services will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Clement, ND on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Esther will be Grant Obenchain, Andy Cox, Jill Cox, Dave Hankey, Jana Hankey, Vicky Larson-Schmidt, Bryan Roney and Brad Roney Music will be provided by Tom Burckhard, soloist and Gloria Lysne, organist Esther Marie was born to Swedish immigrants, Amandus and Selma (Johansson) Gustafson on December 17, 1920 near Oakes, North Dakota where she was raised and educated. On September 12, 1941, Esther was united in marriage to Herman R. “Dick” Obenchain at Ellendale, ND. Following their marriage they lived in Tacoma, Washington for two years, Esther then moved back to Oakes while Dick served a term with the Navy. They remained in the Oakes area until 1966 when they moved to Devils Lake. Esther spent the next 30 years doing alterations at J.C. Penney’s, Shark’s and Glickson’s clothing stores. She also worked for a time at Mann’s Department Store making custom made draperies. Dick died on August 29, 1990. Esther was a charter member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the WELCA and was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary. Her favorite pastimes were baking and anything to do with sewing. Esther is survived by her loving family, sons, Ronald Obenchain and his wife, Darla of Devils Lake; Russ Obenchain and his wife, Lana of Jamestown; Grandchildren: Jana (David) Hankey of Park River; Bryan Roney of Cottage Grove, Minnesota; Brad (Brenda) Roney of Argyle, Texas; Jill (Andy) Cox of Oakes, ND; Grant (January Johnson) Obenchain of Devils Lake. Great Grandchildren: Abraham and Jackson Hankey; Courtney Roney; Eric Roney, Brooke Roney; Benjamin Roney; Allison Cox; Emily Cox; Abigail Cox and Jarret Obenchain. Step-Grandchildren: Cory (Kelly) Hoyt; Damian (Brandee) Hoyt and Kayley (Justin) Meridith; Step Great Grandchildren: Maddison Hoyt, Conner Hoyt, Mason Burrows and Kelsey Hoyt. Sisters: Alyce Broker of Pendleton, Oregon; Margaret McFarland of Grand Junction, Colorado; Sisters-In-Law: Adela Gustafson of Oakes, ND Margie Gustafson also of Oakes Louise Gustafson of Wisconsin Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; daughter, Roberta Roney; son, Raymond Obenchain; brothers, Verner, Emil, Eddy, Charles and Perm Gustafson; sisters, Signe Christianson, Florence Staley and Iris Larson.