Esther E. Larson

Esther E. Larson, 104 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital.

Funeral Services for Esther will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Lori Pankratz officiating. The burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Esther Elizabeth was born on May 8, 1919, in rural Harlow ND, the daughter of Andrew and Cecilia Pearson. She was the youngest of nine children. Her parents had come from Sweden separately and met in Minnewaukan and made a life there. Esther grew up in the Harlow/Brinsmade area. She attended a one-room school for most of her elementary grades, then Brinsmade Public School. Her father bought a house in Brinsmade so his daughters would be able to attend school. Esther graduated from Central High School in Devils Lake. She continued her education at Valley City State Teacher’s College, earning a degree in Elementary Education.

Esther began teaching in the area but after her father died, her mother moved out to California. Esther decided to move out West also and worked in a Post Office in San Louis Obispo, California. Esther decided to move back to North Dakota and reconnected with friends and family in the area.

Esther was united in marriage to Clifford L. “Rip” Larson on August 26, 1948, in Devils Lake. They made their home in Minnewaukan where they both taught. They decided to return to the West Coast and settled in Everett, Washington. While living there, Esther worked at Bon Marche Clothing Store. Both Esther and Cliff were trying to care for their mothers from a distance, thus they decided to return to North Dakota to be closer to family and to continue their teaching careers. They taught for several years at Egeland Public School, living in an apartment at the school.

In 1958, they moved to Devils Lake and called it home for the rest of their lives. Esther worked for the Juvenile Commissioner and sold Fuller Brushes.

First and foremost, Esther was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the WELCA. She was involved with the Quilters, volunteered to help at all the church events, the Bazaar’s, Rummage sales, every aspect of church life. She volunteered in the community wherever needed, served on the Election Board, enjoyed membership in the Hospital Auxiliary and worked in the Gift Shop. She loved people, she loved to visit and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Esther was a member of the local Bridge Club until COVID, she loved to garden and took over the care of Cliff’s roses after his death. When indoors she was an avid reader and kept her mind sharp doing crossword puzzles.

Esther thanked her Lord each day for the blessing of her loving son, Brad Larson of Devils Lake, many nieces, and nephews, the Home Health staff and so many other friends who were so supportive over these last few years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford on October 6, 2000, siblings Alma, Anna, Ethel, Ellen, Minnie, Ervin, Ada and Leola.