Esther V. Fjellanger was born on the family farm at Rugby, N.D., on April 3, 1924, to John and Anna (Scheie) Fjellanger. Upon graduating from high school, Esther completed one year of college at Minot State Teachers College in Minot, N.D. She returned to Rugby, where she worked at the Pierce County Tribune. She began as secretary but learned to run the Linotype, setting type and running the press which printed the newspaper. According to her employer, Frank Hornstein, she became proficient in all aspects of publishing a newspaper.

Esther was united in marriage to Oscar Kostad, on Aug. 17, 1947, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rugby. They moved to Kenmare, N.D., in 1955. While raising their four children, Esther worked at Kenmare Deaconess Hospital in the business office. She eventually found her way to Carlson Drug Store, where she enjoyed a number of years working in the gift store.

Esther was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, the A.L.C.W, Chapter L P.E.O., a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was active in many community groups. Following retirement in 1992, Oscar and Esther moved to Fargo, N.D.

Esther was an avid bridge player and enjoyed beating anyone at whist or pinochle. In her spare time, she enjoyed embroidery, needlework and hardanger. Esther also found time to compile many of the old family recipes into a family cookbook that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of great pride and enjoyment and she always found time to share in their lives. Her adventure stories from her many travels and her quick wit will be truly missed by all who shared in her life.

With her family by her side, Esther V. Kostad died Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at 85 years of age, at Villa Maria, Fargo.

Esther is survived by: her husband of 62 years, Oscar, Fargo; two sons, Kenneth Kostad and his wife, Fran, Minot, N.D., and Kerwin Kostad, Kansas City, Mo.; two daughters, Kathleen Mercil and her husband, Wayne, Fargo, and Kristie Nett and her husband, Dal, Bel Air, Md.; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer Beswick, Cranbrook, B.C., Canada, Lynn Miller, Fargo, Daniel Kostad, Heidi Anderson and Laura Mercil, all Grand Forks, N.D., Adam Kostad, New York City, N.Y., Andrew Mercil, Hillsboro, Ore., Brad Mercil, Denver, Colo., Ryan Nett, Austin, Texas, and Erin Nett, Columbus, Ohio; five great-grandchildren, Alex and Jane Beswick, Austin and Paige Anderson, and Cameron Miller; two sisters, Joyce Ann Brandt and Lillian Blessum, both Rugby; and several nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Vernon, LeRoy, Raymond and Robert Fjellanger; and three sisters, Evelyn Sveum, Marie Forsgren and Gladys Lesmeister.

Memorial Service: Will be Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, at 11 a.m. in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo.

Burial: Will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Online guestbook (www.korsmofuneralservice.com).

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead, Minn.)