Esther Vandervort

Esther Lorraine Vandervort, 90, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, August 9, 2014, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston. Esther was born at Leonard, North Dakota on October 9, 1923, and was the seventh of eight children of the union of Lewis and Henrietta (Swenumson) Qualley. Her early childhood years were spent on the family farm until moving with her parents to Mentor, MN in the early 1930's. She attended Mentor Public Schools. On January 31, 1942 Esther was united in marriage to Marvin Vandervort at Crookston, and the couple lived and farmed near Mentor. During those early years of marriage, winters were spent at Blackduck, MN, where Marvin did logging, and then at Calumet, MN, where he was employed in the iron ore mines. Marvin and Esther moved into Crookston in 1948, while maintaining their farming operation. It was definitely a partnership with Esther bringing meals to the field and doing all of the bookkeeping, while running a busy household that included looking after their three children. Marvin also helped out on several area farms as well, until their retirement from farming in 1980. Esther later became a day care provider at the University of Minnesota-Crookston Children's Center. She absolutely loved her day care kids, and they adored her as another "grandma" in their young lives. Sadly, Marvin passed away on December 29, 1992. Esther and Marvin had celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary earlier that same year. Esther was a devoted member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the Ladies Afternoon Guild. She was a very kind, gentle and humble lady; always there when someone was in need, and welcoming into her home those who needed a "family life". She was a good listener, with a calm, even disposition, and offered her counsel without judgement. Esther was a loving wife, mother, and friend who will be deeply missed. May God richly bless her memory.

Grateful to have shared in Esther's life are her son and 2 daughters: Wayne Vandervort and Sandra Vandervort, both of Crookston, and Joan Lindquist, 4065 Pioneer Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58201; her son-in-law, Bruce Lindquist of Minneapolis, MN; a brother, Harold Qualley of Jackson, MN; a sister, Lillian Schuett of Bloomington, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to her beloved husband, Marvin, Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Henrietta Qualley; a grandson, Eric Michael Lindquist, who passed away this past January; 3 brothers, Andrew and John, and infant, Alfred; and 2 sisters, Betsy Kjelvik and Josephine Dordal.

The funeral service honoring the life of Esther Lorraine Vandervort will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 14, 2014, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN with The Rev. Steve Bohler, officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will take place in the Hafslo Cemetery, rural Crookston, MN. Online registry:

www.stenshoelhouske.com

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Thursday, August 14, 2014
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Thursday, August 14, 2014