Esther Cota, 77, died Thursday, October 5, 2006 at Villa St. Vincent, Crookston, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 PM, Monday, October 9, 2006 at St. Joseph Church, Red Lake Falls, MN, with Father Tim Bushy presiding. Burial will be at St. Dorothy Catholic Cemetery, Dorothy, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 7 PM, Sunday, October 8, 2006 at St. Joseph Church, Red Lake Falls, with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service, Monday at the church.

Esther Alma Armstrong was born March 14, 1929 in Crookston, Minnesota the daughter of Lee and Francis (Novak) Armstrong. At two weeks old, Esther moved to Lemon, SD. After three years, she returned by covered wagon, to Euclid with her family. She attended Elementary School in Strathcona, MN and Junior and Senior High School in Thief River Falls, MN. Following high school, Esther attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND. She worked two years at Tunberg Motor Company in Thief River Falls, MN. She had also lived in Middle River, for awhile, before settling in Dorothy, MN.

On November 17, 1948 Esther was united in marriage to Medi Cota. The couple farmed for many years.

Esther enjoyed gardening and taking care of her flowers, traveling, painting, sewing, and reading. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her passion in later life was quilting and making decorative pillows.

Esther served as president of the American Legion Auxiliary for 2 years. She owned and operated a flower shop in Red Lake Falls from 1972-1985 and Esther also worked as a florist in Crookston, Thief River Falls, and Karlstad. Esther and Medi were foster parents to over 30 babies. Esther was a member of the St. Dorothy Catholic Church until it closed and then at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls.

Esther is survived by nine children: Ross (Roxy) Cota, Red Lake Falls, MN: Bonnie (John) Kliner, Beach, ND; Lois (Tom) Millette, East Grand Forks, MN; Les (Donna) Cota, St. Hilaire, MN; Norma (Doug) Nephew, Fertile, MN; Irene (Ira) Patnode, Red Lake Falls, MN; Jay (Janice) Cota Honolulu, HI; Joyce (Steve) Larson, Newfolden, MN; Dean (Terra) Cota, Bismarck, ND; 37 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 4 brothers: Charles (Janet) Armstrong, Crookston, MN; Dave (Rosie) Armstrong, Euclid, MN; Art (Dolly) Armstrong, Lander, WY; Harry (Lorraine) Armstrong, Breckenridge, MN; 3 sisters: Nancy (Galen) Pederson, Manteo, NC; Ellen (Wallace) Johnson, Detroit Lakes, MN; Agnes Sellin, Red Lake Falls, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Medi on March 14, 2001, parents, 2 infant children, 1 brother Joseph Armstrong.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Polly Beyer
SPECIAL MUSIC: Sherry Knott
PALLBEARERS: Coty Johnson, Matt Cota, Casey Millette, Wade Cota, Kent Kliner, Jesse Larson, Mitch Cota, Buckley Cota
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren