ESTHER LOUISE HENDERSON
December 10, 1919 – December 9, 2010

 Esther Louise Henderson, of Park Rapids, MN formerly of Osage, MN, passed away peacefully, one day shy of her 91st birthday, on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at the Diamond Willow Assisted Care Center in Park Rapids.
Esther, the daughter of immigrant parents from Denmark, Herman and Anna (Mortensen) Hansen, was born on December 10, 1919 on the family farm near Blue Grass, MN. She attended country school near her home through the eighth grade. Esther then went on to attend high school in Wadena from where she graduated with the Class of 1939. She continued her education by attending Beauty Culture School in Minneapolis. After graduating, Esther managed a Beauty Shop in Sebeka, MN from 1940 -1943. On December 4, 1943, Esther was united in marriage to James “Jim” Henderson in Blue Grass. This marriage was blessed with two children: Bonnie and Jay. Esther devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade lefse. In addition to caring for her family, Esther had also worked as a beautician and in food service as her family followed Jim’s career with the Army and later the Federal Aviation Administration to Texas, California, North Dakota and Montana. Upon retiring in 1977, the Henderson’s moved to Osage, MN where they built a home on property they had owned for many years on Straight Lake. Esther was a faithful member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, the Osage Lions where she was one of the first female members and was a Melvin Jones Fellow, the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 Auxiliary and the Headwaters Country Club. Esther enjoyed taking care of her lake home, spending time out on the water, golfing, snowmobiling and traveling.
Esther will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Bonnie (Wayne) Larson of Park Rapids, MN and North Ft. Myers, FL and her son, Jay (Janette) Henderson of Bozeman, MT; three grandsons: Craig (Kim) Larson of Plymouth, MN, Scott Larson of Maple Grove, MN and Brian (Jodi) Henderson of Bozeman, MT; four great grandsons: Austin & Dylan Larson and Cody and Jake Henderson; her sister, Pearl Estabrooks of Clarksdale, AZ; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James in 2007, her parents and two sisters: Florence & Hazel.
Funeral services were held 2 PM, Monday, December 13, 2010 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Reverend Stephen Norby officiating. Friend, Dave “Lefty” Anderson sang, “Beautiful Savior” and “Nearer My God To Thee”. The organist was Roz Pederson. The congregational hymns were “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art”. The casketbearers were: Craig Larson, Brian Henderson, Scott Larson, Eugene Henderson, Francis Folstad and Irene Baron. Honorary casketbearers were Esther’s fellow members of the Osage Lions Club. Interment was made in the Riverside Cemetery at Osage next to her husband, James. Following the service, a luncheon was hosted by the Calvary Lutheran Church.