Esther Tufte, age 91, resident of Lakota, ND, died Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center in Lakota, ND.

Esther Johnson was born February 22, 1916 near Bartlett, ND, the daughter of John and Karensa (Bjorndahlen) Johnson. She was raised on her parents farm and attended the Cleveland School. She then worked at Thorson's Caf é in Lakota. Esther married Clarence A. Tufte on November 14, 1942 at Lakota Lutheran Church. They farmed in the Brocket area for several years. They then lived and farmed at Osnabrock, ND, from 1951 until 1954. They moved into Lakota in 1954, where Esther worked as a cook at Miller's Caf é and the SunLac Inn. She also worked at the Gronna Home for over 10 years. She was a member of the Lakota Lutheran Church, the Cleveland Homemakers Club, the Willing Workers, and the Rundell-Holicky American Legion Post # 21 Ladies Auxiliary. Clarence died June 17, 1997. Esther continued living in Lakota, and became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in August of 2006.

Esther will be greatly missed by her 5 sons, Dennis Johnson of Lakota, Gerald (Dorothea) Tufte of Hillsboro, ND, Roger (Barbara) Tufte of Lakota, Norris (Kathy) Tufte of Audobon, MN, and Douglas (Judy) Tufte of Audobon, MN; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Jeanette Ericksrud of Lakota; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence; son, Curtis Tufte; granddaughter, Stacey Tufte; 3 brothers, Marvin, Lief, and Harold; and 2 sisters, Evelyn Sandbakken and Mable Bakken.

Esther's Funeral Service will be held at the Lakota Lutheran Church of Lakota, ND, on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Don Reynolds. The organist will be Karen Fowler and the soloist will be Jason Flom. Interment will be in the spring at the Lakota Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Dave Tufte, Roger Tufte Jr., Lenny Tufte, Dillin Tufte, Scott Ericksrud, Travis Kjorsvik, and Darren Shaw. An Honor Guard will be provided by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Rundell-Holicky American Legion Post # 21, Lakota. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Friday, January 25, 2008 beginning at 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.