Esther Freelander, 86, Velva, formerly of Burlington, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.
Esther Miller was born March 15, 1926, the daughter of Alexander Sr. and Christina (Heydt) Miller, in Anamoose. She was raised on the family farm near Anamoose and educated at a country school in the area. As a young adult, she enjoyed assisting her parents with the operation of the family farm.
Esther married Warren Freelander on Dec. 18, 1975, in Minot. They made their home in Burlington, where she worked part time for Kemper Construction. She had also worked various places as a cook throughout the years. Warren passed away March 11, 1998.
She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington.
She enjoyed gardening, taking care of her flowers and trees, making quilts, listening to music, and dancing, especially the polka.
Surviving family includes: children, Betty (Bob) Bachmeier, Granville, Clorinda (Arland) Kramer, Granville, Norene (Donald) Duchscherer, Granville, Elsie (Ronald) Dame, Burlington, Curtis (Dawn) Haberlock, Burlington, and Debbie Korgel (Mike Hammer), Velva; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sisters, Florence Pfiefer, Granville, and Anita (Alan) Kleinsasser, Rapid City, S.D.; brothers, Edmund (Ann) Miller, Minot, Albert (Judy) Miller, of Montana, Clifford (Olene) Miller, of Idaho, Nathaniel (Lorna) Miller, of Oregon, and Lester (Arlene) Miller, of Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Warren; son, Walter Fenner Jr.; son-in-law, Mike Stroh; granddaughter, Amanda Bachmeier; sisters, Alvina Shillo, Dorothy Opp, and Lorraine Miller; brothers, Alex, Jacob, Joey, Milton, and David Miller; brother-in-law, Ralph Pfeifer; and a nephew, Leland Miller.
Funeral: Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Burlington.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday, Aug. 12, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).
