Esther Oie

Esther P. Oie, 96, died November 10, 2008 at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls, MN.

Esther Pauline Ladwig was born January 8, 1912 in Wilkin County , the daughter of Paul and Ovidia (Larson) Ladwig. She was baptized and confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church , Rothsay , MN . Esther graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1930.

On October 1, 1936, she married John Oie at Sisseton, SD. Esther and John were blessed with three children, Ione, Odean, and Janet. They made their home in Breckenridge.

Esther was an active member of Breckenridge Lutheran Church where she was a Charter Member. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Circle and Bible study groups were also important to her. She and John were custodians at the church during their early retirement.

She belonged to several organizations, including the Sons of Norway, Eastern Star, Eagles Auxiliary and Women’s Relief Corps., often holding an office, sometimes in more than one at the same time. She was always ready to help people if they needed her.

Esther was an avid crocheter, making many afghans and fancy doilies for her family. Letter writing and reading were also very important to her, so when she lost her vision, she always felt that she also lost her connection to her world.

After their family was grown, she and John took care of several foster children over a number of years. During that time, both her mother and mother-in-law stayed with them.

There was always an open door to family and friends at her house. Many will remember her chocolate chip cookies and a cup of coffee or cocoa along with lively conversation. Her bay window always had several blooming African Violets. Esther was an all around sports fan, especially to her grandchildren’s teams and the Minnesota Twins. She rarely missed a grandchild’s band or choir concert.

Esther continued to live in the family home after John passed away in 1992. She moved to Fergus Falls in 2001 where she was a resident of Sheridan House Retirement Home. She moved to the Pioneer Retirement Community in 2006.

Esther is survived by her children, Ione (Lawrence) Deal, Fergus Falls , Odean (Shirley) Kuhloie, Highland Ranch, CO, and Janet Oie, Fargo , ND . Grandchildren, Gregory (Joan) Deal, Elizabeth (Stanley) Ekren, Timothy (Kathleen) Deal, Michelle (Patrick) Schwartz, Andrew Deal (Melissa Dierks), Catherine (Andrew) Riley, and Joseph Deal (fiancée, Charissa Statz); Paul Oie, Carrie (Dwight) Affield, Scott Kuhloie, and McKinzi Kuhloie; Steve (Julie) Palmer, Connie (James) Pekarek, and Dawn (Ryan) Brehmer; 27 great-grandchildren and her first great-great-grandchild due in February.

Also surviving are sisters-in-law Donna Ladwig, Sally Oie, and Margaret Oie and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, Paul and Ovidia Ladwig, two brothers, Lawrence Ladwig and Willard Ladwig, brothers-in-law, Roy Oie, Lars Oie, Oscar Oie, Casper Oie, and sister-in-law, Bernice Ladwig.

Visitation: Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge , MN . There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Funeral Service: Friday, November 14, 11:00 a.m. at Breckenridge Lutheran Church , Breckenridge.

Clergy: Pastor Kate Bruns

Burial: Fairview Memorial Gardens , Wahpeton, ND

P allbearers: Greg Deal, Tim Deal, Andy Deal, Joe Deal, Steve Palmer and Scott Kuhloie

Honorary Pallbearers: Esther’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all who called her “friend.”