Esther G. Leith

Esther G. Leith, age 78, resident of Lakota, ND, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the NCHS Care Center in McVille, ND, surrounded by her loving family after a battle with Alzheimers Disease.

Esther Geraldine (Anderson) Leith was born March 29, 1942 at Hallock, MN, the only daughter of Harry and Clara (Roppel) Anderson.  In 1952 the family moved to a farm north of Edmore, ND.  Esther graduated in 1961 from Edmore High School.  She attended Aaker’s Business School in Grand Forks, ND, upon graduation she was employed by Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks as a payroll specialist.  She then went on to work for Knetter Cheese Company of Lakota as a bookkeeper.  Esther married Darrel Leith on February 7, 1964.  They had four children: Kent, Kurt, Michelle, and Julie.  Esther stayed home raising their children until they bought the Lakota Dairy Queen in September 1976.  Esther, along with her husband Darrel, owned and operated the Lakota Dairy Queen for 29 years.  She loved visiting with customers and mentoring her young employees, teaching them life lessons for success and happiness.  They retired and sold the Dairy Queen in February of 2005.  In April 2017, she became a resident of Maple View Memory Center in Grand Forks, ND.  January 2018 she became a resident of NCHS Care Center where she resided until her death.  Esther’s greatest joy were her children and grandchildren.  Esther could be found at their games, watching swimming lessons, and attending their concerts.  Esther enjoyed camping, lake time, and traveling during retirement years.

Esther will be greatly missed by her husband, Darrel Leith of Lakota; 2 sons, Kent (Sandi) Leith of McKinney, TX and Kurt (Sandy) Leith of Sherman IL; 2 daughters, Michelle (Dean) Wall and Julie (Chad) Morten, both of Lakota; 9 grandchildren, Lindsey and Logan Leith, Barry (Ashley) Rowe, Maggie Leith, Kristin, Michael and Kylie Wall, Brandon and Kayla Morten; 3 great grandchildren, Lucy, Penny, and Wendy Rowe; 2 brothers, Ron (Mary) Anderson of Dickinson, ND and Virgil Anderson of Lakota; as well as several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Clara Anderson; 3 brothers, Gary Anderson, Rodger Anderson, and LaMar Anderson.

Private services will be held with burial in the Lakota Cemetery.

Sympathy cards may be mailed to Darrel Leith, PO Box 432, Lakota, ND 58344.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Lakota Park Board, PO Box 505, for the Lakota Swimming Pool Improvement Project; or to the Nelson County Health System in McVille.

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