Esther Lillian (Pease) Anderson

Esther Lillian (Pease) Anderson passed away on Sunday, January 30th, 2022 at the age of 95. Esther was born in Trego, Wisconsin, and was the third child of Lillian (Rice) and Hollister Pease. The family moved when she was six years old to Dexter, MN where they farmed and raised cows, pigs, horses, chickens and bees.  

Esther graduated from high school in 1944 before moving to Golden Valley, MN, where she studied nursing, becoming an LPN. After graduation in 1946, she moved to Clarkfield, MN, and worked as a nurse in many areas of the Clarkfield Memorial Hospital until it closed in 1986. She then worked in the Clarkfield Clinic until her retirement in 1991, finishing a 40-year career in nursing. She was married to Arnold “Pete” Anderson from 1952 until his death in 1969. 

Esther enjoyed gardening, reading, quilting, embroidery, listening to music, shopping, traveling, attending to her cats, and spending time with family and friends. Her sister, Luella, tried to teach her to crochet and knit, but Esther found it drove her crazy. Instead, she learned the art of embroidery, which she loved and continued to do until the last few years of her life. Her family received many expertly embroidered dish towels, tablecloths, and pillowcases. She traveled with long-time friend and co-worker, Mary Peterson, to many locations. Her adventures included Amsterdam, Hawaii, Spain, Europe, Algeria, South Africa, North Africa, South America, Canada, the Caribbean, and many parts of the Unites States. While living in Clarkfield, she rescued many cats, and fed and cared for many neighborhood strays. She was known as “Auntie Esther” to her nieces, their families, and her nieces’ childhood and adult friends. Her nieces loved to visit Auntie Esther after school and for overnights. She always had the best snacks, and it was always so fun to be with her.

In 2014, she moved to Spring Park, MN, to be closer to family. She eventually moved to Summerwood Assisted Living in Chanhassen, where she passed away after a recent cancer diagnosis.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Hollister; husband, Arnold; sisters, Luella and Marian, and brother Arthur. 

She is survived by her nieces Cindy Alness (Richard) of Mound, MN, Sandra Martin (Steve) of Albion, IN, Debra Hollister (Bryan) of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Julie Nelson (Tim) of Excelsior MN; great-nieces and nephews, Eric (Melissa) Alness, Angela (Jesse) Koller, Amy (Curtis) Larson, Melissa (Brenton) Haack, Andrew (Sarah) Alness, Sarah Haimes (Mary), Leah (Richard) Miller, Tim (Stephanie) Werner, Naomi (Steve) Odom, Peter (Laura) Werner, Ben (Nichole) Werner, Philip Werner, Rhys Nelson, Torben Nelson, and 30 great-great nieces and nephews. 

A private family grave side service will be held this summer at the Clarkfield City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family and can be mailed to:

2620 Halstead Ln

Mound, MN 55364

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