Esther Suronen Acquaro, 72, died on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will be in Park Ridge Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, March 20, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and also for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Esther Irene Suronen was born on May 31, 1936 near Plummer, MN, the daughter of Henry and Ida (Roman) Suronen. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended Elementary School in Plummer and St. Hilaire, graduating from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1954. After school Esther went to Minneapolis to work for a short time and in 1969 she moved to Alaska, where she worked as a Telephone Operator for 31 years.

Esther was united in marriage to Ted Economon in 1958 and later she married Joe Acquaro. She returned to Thief River Falls in 2001 and lived at Skylite Apartments and in 2005 Esther moved to Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks. In her earlier years Esther enjoyed going to dances. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, playing cards, going to the casino and she loved having coffee with her family and friends.

Esther is survived by two sisters, Verna Sevre of Thief River Falls, MN and Trudy Kersten of Fridley, MN; one brother, Harvey (Connie) Suronen of Minneapolis, MN; sisters-in-law, Carol Suronen and Yvonne Suronen, both of Thief River Falls, MN; brothers-in-law, Roger Hanson of Thief River Falls, MN and Bill Sundholm of New Brighton, MN; special niece, Julie Miller of Hillsboro, ND; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; eight brothers, John, Ernie, Mel, Elmer, Albert, George, Walt and Jim; and two sisters, Alice Sundholm and Shirley Hanson.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

DUET: Laura and Joel Rude
SELECTIONS: One Day At A Time and Jus As I Am
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art and The Old Rugged Cross
CASKETBEARERS: Walter Scott Suronen, Steve Helle, Doug Suronen, Darrel Miller, Gannon Miller, and Rick Hanson