Esther Falk

Mass of Christian Burial for Esther Falk, 85, of Groton will be 10:30 am, Thursday, May 22nd at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Groton. Father David Janes will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. www.paetznick-garness.com

Visitation will be held at the chapel from 4-8pm on Wednesday with a wake service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Esther passed away May 17, 2008 at Avera St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen.

Esther Clara Dykhoff was born on March 16, 1923 near Crary, North Dakota to Frank and Pauline (VanSteenvoort) Dykhoff. She attended school in Crary. On December 30, 1944, she was united in marriage with Herbert Falk in Lakota, North Dakota. Together they farmed near Southam, North Dakota before moving to Claremont in 1954. In the summer of 1961, they moved to Groton and Esther was employed at Miller's Variety Store. She continued to make Groton her home, following her husband's death on May 16, 1992.

Esther was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and the Groton Senior Citizens. Esther enjoyed knitting and embroidery work, playing cards, especially bridge and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spent many hours writing poetry and had been published in the South Dakota Pasque Petals.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her children; Ron (Kathy) Falk of Groton, Cyndy (Ray) Larson of Columbia, Connie (Jim) Rose of Montpelier, Virginia, one brother, Lyle Dykhoff of Devils Lake, North Dakota, five sisters; Isabel Rafferty of Great Falls, Montana, Julie (Melvin) Kunkel of Devils Lake, North Dakota, Therese (Jerry) Woolsey of Great Falls, Montana, Doris (Don) Mueller of Devils Lake, North Dakota and Carol (David) Coyer of Roberts, Wisconsin. Esther is also survived by eight grandchildren; Becky (Mark) Britner, Shane Falk, David (Susan) Rose, Jennifer (Mic) Daggett, Amber (Chris) Odde, Josh Larson and fiancAC. Desa Oberle, Angie Falk, Dustin Falk and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and three brothers.

Honorary Casketbearers will be her granddaughters and members of her bridge clubs.

Casketbearers will be Shane Falk, David Rose, Josh Larson, Dustin Falk, Mic Daggett and Jay Schmechel.