Ester Sexhus,  108, of Cando formerly of rural Leeds,  died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando.   Funeral services will be Saturday, May 4, 2013, 2:00 PM at North Prairie Free Lutheran Church rural Leeds with Pastor Michael Rohrer officiating.  Visitation will be Saturday at the church from noon until the time of the funeral.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.    Casket bearers will be her nephews:  Mark Ahlberg,  David Ahlberg,  Jerry Ahlberg,  Greg Anderson,  Gary Holthusen,  Steve Guthrie,  Alan Guthrie and Scott Guthrie.  Music will be from the Ahlberg Family.  The Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds is in charge of the arrangements.

Ester Henrietta Emelia (Ahlberg) Sexhus was born March 15, 1905 at home in Springfield Township north of Leeds, ND, to David and Emelia (Nilson) Ahlberg.  She lived on the farm until the family moved to Seattle, WA in 1918.  Ester attended high school there and following graduation in 1922 from Lincoln High School, she came home to the farm.  After attending Valley City Normal College, Ester returned to the Ahlberg home and taught grades 1 thru 8 at the Wheatland Country School for eight years.  Ester and Sanford Sexhus were married January 26, 1939 at Leeds.  The couple lived and farmed the Sexhus Homestead rural Leeds.  Following Sanford's death on January 1, 1993,  Ester lived on the farm until moving to the Towner County Living Center at Cando in 2008.

Ester was a life member of North Prairie Free Lutheran Church where she served as organist for many years, taught Sunday school and was a member of the Ladies Aid.  She enjoyed church and school activities, family, socializing, reading, sewing and music.

Surviving are a daughter:  Karen Beyer of Fargo and a son and daughter-in-law:  Dennis and Sue Sexhus of Leeds;  4 grandchildren:  Sandra (Kyle) Meyer of Hillsboro, Steven (Kullen) Beyer of Brooklyn Park, MN,  Jessica (Kevin) Johnson of Ankeny, IA and Sam (Zoe) Sexhus of Southlake, TX;  9 great-grandchildren:  Katrina, Rachel & Thomas Meyer,  Laurel & Brooke Johnson,  Madeline & Mia Sexhus,  Thomas & Emelia Beyer.

Preceding her in death were her parents;  daughter:  Sandra Sexhus;   son:  Jimmie Ahlberg;  brother:  Ernest Ahlberg;  sisters:  Annabel Anderson,  Ida Guthrie,  Ruth Holthusen and Myrtle Ahlberg.







Condolences:

Karen, my sympathy to you and your family. I didn't know Ester, but I've enjoyed reading articles about her and have admired her strength and independence. Celebrate her life with happy memories.  Carol Hart



The peace of God and the love of family and friends help us all through times like these.  You are in our prayers.  Phil & Sonja