Esther L. Odland

Esther L. Odland, 88, Sisseton, SD, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2015, at the Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton with Rev. William Schruba officiating. Music will be provided by organist Mona Greseth, vocalist Pat Schubert and accompanist Estelle Pearson.

Burial will be in the Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton, MN. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and residents of the Edgewood Vista Assisted Living. Active pallbearers will be Jay Odland, Christopher Hortness, Stuart Johnson, Mark Larson, Doug Larson, Brian Larson, Ned A'Bell, Kent A'Bell, Bruce Larson and Eric Larson.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Esther Leone was born January 20, 1927, in Traverse County, MN, to Elmer and Julia (Anderson) Larson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Wheaton. She was raised in White Rock where she attended her first six years of school. In 1939, the family moved to Wheaton where she completed her school years graduating from Wheaton High School in 1945.

On August 20, 1950, Esther married Manley Odland of Brooten, MN, in the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Wheaton. She attended college at St. Cloud State and the University of Minnesota Morris where she received her teaching certificate for elementary grades. Esther taught school for thirty years, first in Brooten, MN, and then in rural schools in the area, in Sisseton and Peever. She retired in May 1989. Esther and Manley were married for 51 years. During these years, they were involved in dairying in Bryant Township. Manley passed away in 2001. Esther made her home in the Edgewood Assisted Living in Sisseton in July 2008.

Esther was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and participated in her Bible Study Circle. She enjoyed music, gardening, flowers, fancy work, and St. Bernard dogs. Esther was an avid Twins fan and loved attending her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. Activities with the family were a special time to be together.

Survivors include her children, Janice (Douglas) Bergstrom of Roseville, MN, Joel (Diane) Odland of Sisseton, and Mary (Michael Sentell) Odland of Hitchcock, SD; granddaughter, Meggan (Christopher) Hortness and their two daughters Elliot and Harper of Sisseton; and grandson, Jay (Megan) Odland and their son Fenmore of Fargo, ND. She is also survived by sisters, Ethelyn Johnson of Wheaton, MN, and Muriel (Eldon) A'Bell of San Diego, CA; brother, Lionel "Ole" Larson of Wendover, UT; sisters-in-law, Opal Larson of Wheaton, MN, and Marian (Don Morrow) Larson of The Villages, FL; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Manley; brothers, Milton and Leonard; and in-laws, Rodney Johnson and Sharon Larson.