Esther Hesse, 78, died on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.


Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, December 31, 2007 at St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Rick Hensel officiating. Burial will be at Immanuel Cemetery, Wylie, MN.

Visitation will be 2 " 5 PM, Sunday, December 30, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 4 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service at the church, Monday.

Esther Viela Lofstrom was born August 4, 1929 at Warren, MN, the daughter of Olof and Stella (Birkness) Lofstrom. She was baptized September 29, 1929 and confirmed May 16, 1943. She attended and graduated from school in Alvarado, MN. On April 18, 1952, Esther entered the United States Air Force in Seattle, WA, was stationed and served in San Antonio, TX until her honorable discharge, April 17, 1955. Following her discharge, she attended nursing school in Thief River Falls.

On October 17, 1956, Esther was united in marriage to Howard Hesse at Alvarado, MN. The couple moved to Howards family farm, where they farmed and lived. Esther worked as a nurse at Northwest Medical Center over 25 years. Howard died August 27, 1997 and in 1998, Esther moved into Skylite Apartments located in Thief River Falls. She then moved into Valley Nursing Home, Thief River Falls for a time before moving into Hillcrest Nursing Home, Red Lake Falls in February of 2006.

Esther was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. She loved music, playing piano and singing. Esther enjoyed fishing, camping and baking. Most especially, she loved spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by 5 children: Robin (Wayne) Rahlf, Thief River Falls, MN, David Hesse, East Grand Forks, MN (Roberta Hesse of Grand Forks), Roger (Cindy) Hesse, Thief River Falls, MN, Mark Hesse and Brian Hesse both of Red Lake Falls, MN; 6 grandchildren: Ryan Hesse, Sioux Falls, MN, Kari Hesse, Mankato, MN, Tyson Hesse, Thief River Falls, MN, Derek Hesse, Thief River Falls, MN, Adam Hesse, Grand Forks, ND and Megan Bergdahl, Thief River Falls, MN; a great grandchild: Alliya Hesse, Mankato, MN; a sister: Syliva (Robert) Clark, Mt. Vernon, WA; sisters-in-law: Marian Lofstrom Oakland, MA and Helen Lofstrom, Waterville, MA, along with several nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by husband, Howard; parents; sisters, Iola Northrup and Kathleen Anderson; brothers, Leland, Goodwin and Harley Lofstrom.