Esther Fones

Esther began her life, and went to school in the farming community near Hazleton, North Dakota. She raised four children on her own, working many hours to make ends meet, but she still found the time to teach her children the important values they would need to grow into responsible adults.  She worked a variety of jobs over the years. She worked as a nursing assistant during WW11, she was a telephone switchboard operator, a waitress, a house-cleaner, a seamstress, tailor and a cook, to name a few. She was awarded waitress of the year in Fergus Falls, Mn in 1981. She loved fishing, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and embroidering. She also loved crossword puzzles and cryptograms. She was proud of the fact that she sewed her children’s school clothes when they were young, and wanted to be remembered for that act of love. Esther left this earth and went to her heavenly home at the age of 92, at home, surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by two brothers, Paul Wengel, of Pleasant Hill, OR, and Vernon Wengel of Crosby, MN; two sons: Wayne (Brenda) Wengel  of Centralia, WA,  Alan (LaVonne) Fones of Foley, MN; two daughters: Virginia (Robert) Overholser of Huntington, IN, and Mary (Roger) Johnsen Perham MN. , 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren,and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one grandson, her parents, three brothers, four sisters, and her soulmate Orville Anderson. To those of us who knew her, she was special beyond compare. Her talents were many; her honesty refreshing; her friendship long-lasting, her love true, unfailing, and unconditional. She will be dearly missed.