Esther L. Von Wald

Esther L. (Mrs. Kenneth) Von Wald, age 99 died peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Parmly Life Points in Chisago City, MN. Esther Luella Sortedahl was born September 5, 1914 on a farm in Holden Township, near Kenyon, MN to Nicolai and Bergethe (Muus) Sortedahl. Esther was the last surviving child of four sisters and five brothers. She was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage and made wonderful cookies and treats each Christmas, including lefsa, krukoner and krumkaka. Esther moved with her family to Kenyon and graduated from Kenyon High School. In high school she was involved in girls basketball as a left forward and also sang in a girls quartet who earned state recognition. On March 14, 1934 she married Kenneth Von Wald and they were married for 72 years before Kenneth preceded Esther in death in February of 2007. Kenneth and Esther made a home in Kenyon, LeRoy, Harmony, Forest Lake, Long Prairie and LeSueur. While living in LeSueur, Esther was employed by the Green Giant Company. She was a member of First Lutheran Church. Esther was an avid bridge player, spent many hours with family doing jigsaw puzzles, and loved knitting sweaters and afghans for her children and grandchildren. Esther and Kenneth were very interested in sports and especially loved following the Twins baseball games in person, on the radio or television. Esther is survived by her three children, Bernie (Randy) Von Wald of Lindstrom, MN, Karen (Robert) Meslow of White Bear Lake, MN and Susan (Stephen) Taylor of Urbandale, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and one deceased great grandson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; 1 Great-Grandson, Peter Meslow & all siblings. Funeral services for Esther will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the Holden Church in rural Kenyon, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the church. Interment will be in the Holden Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church in Le Sueur, MN.