Esther Haagenson

Funeral services were held Monday, Mar. 1, 2010, at Leeds Lutheran Church, for Esther Haagenson, 87, of rural Leeds, who died Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.

Burial will be in the Leeds Cemetery in the spring.

Esther was born May 2, 1922, near Tunbridge, a daughter of Fred and Inga (Braaten) Hjelle. She attended school in Rugby, graduating in 1940. She worked for a time at Citizens Bank in Rugby and the ASCS office. She married Fergus Lyle Haagenson on Dec. 2, 1945. She continued working while Lyle served in the U.S. Army. Upon his return home, the couple purchased a farm near Rolette. In 1960, they purchased a farm south of Leeds. Lyle died Dec. 10, 1995. She remained on the farm until entering the Haaland Home in May of 2000. In 2004, she suffered a stroke and became a resident of the Heart of America Medical Center Long Term Care in Rugby.

She was a member of Leeds Lutheran Church, its WELCA, and the weekly mission quilting bees.

She is survived by her sons: Leslie, Lowell, Lorin and Lynn, all of Leeds, Lester of Jamestown, and Lloyd of Williston; a daughter-in-law, Candace Haagenson of Jamestown; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters: Florence Crawford and Verna Heizelmen, both of Velva; brothers and sisters-in-law: Milton and Lois Haagenson, Rolette, and Steve and Marilyn Christianson, Rugby; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Marion Hanson; brother-in-law, Charlie Crawford; and a nephew, Mark Haagenson.

Pastor Richard Budd officiated. Music was provided by Claudette Carlson, soloist, and Dan Nybo, organist.

Casketbearers were Jason Haagenson, Eric Haagenson, Reid Haagenson, Jamie Haagenson, Leigh Haagenson, Josh Haagenson, Noah Haagenson, and Christopher Kranig.

Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Home, Leeds.