Esther Cookman, age 79, resident of Lakota, ND, died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Esther Marie Hursh was born May 9, 1929 at Cando, ND, the daughter of Lloyd and Margaret (Howard) Hursh. She was raised in the area and graduated from Cando High School in 1946. She then worked as a secretary at a sawmill in Portland, OR, where she met her husband, David Woodrow Cookman. They were married June 1, 1947 in Portland. They returned home and farmed in the Bisbee, ND area. They moved to a farm in the Lakota area in 1954. They farmed in Illinois Township of Nelson County until retiring in 1979. David died December 19, 1989. Esther was the treasurer of Illinois Township for many years and was active in the Illinois Township Homemakers Club. She always maintained a large vegetable garden, of which she was very proud. She loved crocheting, knitting, needlework, watching hummingbirds and all of nature. She was an example of unconditional love, tolerance, and patience.

Esther will be deeply missed by her 6 children, David W. Cookman Jr. of Grand Forks, ND, Carol Johnson & her husband Jim White of Devils Lake, ND, William Thomas "Tom" Cookman of Colorado, Robert Cookman of Lakota, ND, James Allen Cookman & his wife Lori of Buffalo, ND, and Sharon Visness of Wyoming; 9 grandchildren, David Cookman III, Scott Johnson, Matthew Cookman, Aaron Johnson, Eric Spurgeon, Tyler Spurgeon, Brianna Visness, Gina Visness, and Heather Visness; 3 great grandchildren, Layne Cookman, Aimee Johnson, and Wyatt Hilldebrand; 1 brother, Leroy Hursh & his wife Ann of Cando, ND; extended family members, Jeanne Kloos of Ohio, Frank Kurtyka & his wife Bobbi of Grand Forks, ND, and Julie Ausk of Alice, ND; and several nieces & nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; daughter, Margaret Kurtyka; and numerous brothers, sisters, and extended family members.

Esther's Funeral Service will be held at the United Church of Christ, Lakota, ND, on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Sue Mackey. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery. Casketbearers will be her grandsons, David Cookman III, Scott Johnson, Matthew Cookman, Aaron Johnson, Eric Spurgeon, and Tyler Spurgeon. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Thursday, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.