Esther Evensen

Esther was born in Devil's Lake, ND on April 7, 1920 to parents Knute Skaaden and Kristine Grothe Skaaden. She was raised as a young girl in Devils Lake, ND, Melrose, MN, and Detroit Lakes, MN where her dad worked as a shoe repairman. Esther was baptized in Devils Lake, confirmed in Detroit Lakes, and graduated high school with the class of 1939 in Detroit Lakes. She attended Beauty school in Fargo, ND and worked there for a short time before returning to Alexandria. In Alexandria Esther worked for the Engstrom Furniture Store managing their gift department, worked at Douglas County Hospital Gift Shop, and for Olsons's Supermarket. In 1977 when Olson?s was sold she became an employee of Red Owl, working as a cashier and bookkeeper until her retirement in 1983. On December 25, 1982 Esther was united in marriage to Robert Evensen at First Lutheran Church after the Christmas Day Services at the age of 62. After their marriage they lived for a short time in Fort Dodge, IA, until Bob retired. They returned to Alexandria where she continued to make her home. Shortly after their move back to Alexandria Bob returned to his avocation of woodcarving. Esther had been a collector of beautiful collectibles, and needed a place to show them, so she and Bob built a home on the east side of Lake Latoka, an octagon-shaped house. Esther now had a showplace for her collectibles. They both enjoyed entertaining and did so a lot in their new home. Soon the home became too much for Esther to maintain, so they sold and built a smaller home two blocks away. Esther continued to live in Alexandria after Bob died in 1997. A series of falls caused by macular degeneration and vertigo necessitated a move to Knute Nelson. Esther lived there for four years until her death on Friday, July 25, 2008. Esther is survived by several cousins in the United States and Norway; and a host of friends. Blessed be her memory.