Esther Mae Davidson, age 86, of Straight River Township, passed away on June 21, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Health Care Center.

Services will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, Minnesota.

Esther Mae Hilden was born on May 11, 1940, in Green Valley Township, Minnesota, the daughter of Andrew and Aino (Ranua) Hilden. She grew up in Runeberg Township alongside her five siblings, Ellen, Elma, Evelyn, Andrew, and Ernest. Her upbringing and Finnish heritage remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.

Following high school, Esther moved to the Twin Cities. In 1959, she was united in marriage to Harold Davidson. Though the couple later divorced in the 1980s, they were blessed with six children, Laurie, Mike, Linda, John, Karen, and Andrea. Esther’s children were the heart of her life, and she took great pride in caring for her family and making a home for them.

Esther worked for many years as an assembly worker, including time spent with Honeywell and Old Dutch. She was dependable and hardworking, but those who knew her best knew that her most important work was always at home, being a mother, caring for her children, and keeping her family close.

Esther had a gift for finding joy in the simple things. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, and spending time with the people she loved. She had a wonderful sense of humor and could bring laughter into a room with her quick wit and playful spirit. Her family will remember her warmth, her personality, and the many ways she made ordinary days feel special.

She was fond of Finnish hymns and Finnish culture, and those pieces of her heritage stayed close to her heart. Over the years, Esther lived in several communities, including Isanti, Anoka, Minneapolis, and many other places, but no matter where life took her, family remained her constant.

Thirty-nine years ago, Esther met Norman Denstedt, and the two shared many years together. They enjoyed going shopping and searching for treasures wherever they could find them, whether at yard sales, garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, or auctions. Esther especially looked forward to Norm coming home from an auction so she could go through the trailer and see what treasures he had brought back. Those moments brought her excitement, laughter, and happiness.

Those left to honor Esther's memory include: Her children, Laurie Herting (Steve), John Davidson, Karen Adler (Tom), and Andrea Davidson (Brian); her partner of 39 years, Norman Denstedt, and his children, Carrie, Crissy, and Connie; her siblings, Elma Juntunen, Andrew Hilden (Shirley), and Ernest Hilden; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; as well as extended family and friends.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Aino Hilden; her son, Mike Davidson; her daughter, Linda Davidson-Eley; her grandchildren; Nadine Davidson and Sarah Quenroe; her sisters, Ellen Juntunen and Evelyn Kako; her brother-in-law, Allen Juntunen; and her sister-in-law, Tina Hilden.

Esther’s family will forever cherish the memories of her laughter, her love, and the many ways she cared for those around her.