Esther Steckel • 1909 - 2007

Esther Steckel, 98, Minot, died Saturday, December 22, 2007 in a Minot nursing home.

Esther Selmina Amanda Pederson was born on April 6, 1909 on a farm near Makoti, ND, to John and Tilda Pederson. In 1912 she moved with her family to Minot, and in 1913 they moved to a farm near Sawyer, ND, where she started school. In 1918 they moved to a farm near Deering, ND, where Esther attended two different country schools. At this point in her life she learned about becoming a farm hand, as well as, housekeeping, cooking and sewing.

In 1923 Esther was confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Maryland Township. She moved to Minot in 1926 and worked as a "hired girl" for a number of area families until 1941. Esther also cooked for prisoners at the County Jail while working for three different county sheriffs.

In 1941 she moved to Los Angeles, CA, and worked as a cook for the R.W. Mayler's and her sister, Alice worked there as an upstairs maid. In 1943 she began working at the Interstate Aircraft Plant, in war defense work. When World War II ended she went to work at Eastern Columbia Department Store in Los Angeles.

Esther married William Steckel on May 21, 1949 in Los Angeles. She then managed the Wallen Arms Apartments for two years. In April of 1953 they moved back to North Dakota because of Bill's health. Bill died August 15, 1954.

From 1955 to 1956, Esther worked at Jacobson & Fugelso Hardware Store in Minot. She then cared for Att. R.H. Bosard and his home from 1956 to 1960. From 1962 to 1966 she worked at Deardurff's Hobby House & Toy and later worked at White Drug Gift Shop from 1966 to May of 1967. On August 26, 1967 she began working as a Dorm Mother at Bismarck Jr. College, where she worked until her retirement on June 30, 1982. Following retirement she moved to Minot.

Esther was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was a member of the churches Sewing Circle and Altar Guild. She was a member of the Sons of Norway, Thor Lodge 4067 and the Scandinavian Heritage Association all in Minot. She held membership in the National Federation of Republican Women and the local Minot Area Republican Women. She was a former member of the Y.W.C.A and for 11 years served as a volunteer at the Tourist Information Center for the Minot Chamber of Commerce.

Those who shared in her life, Sisters, Gladys C. Pederson and Ida V.M. Pederson, both in Minot; brothers, Vernon Pederson, Fargo, ND and Glenn Pederson, St. Paul, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins also survive.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents, John and Tilda Pederson; siblings, Arthur, Harry, Hjalmer, Raymond, Alice, Ernest and Lyle Pederson.

Funeral: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Homes Chapel, Minot.

Visitation: Wednesday 1 hour prior to the service at Trinity Homes.

Burial: A private burial will be held at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Officiant: Rev. Luther C. Hanson, Chaplain Trinity Homes

Music: Congregational Hymns
"Your Little Ones, Dear Lord"
"Away in a Manger"
Rev. Luther C. Hanson, organist

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