Posted 6/23/10 (Wed)
Esther Olson-Jore, 94, of rural Keene, N.D., more recently of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Nursing Home in Watford City, N.D., died Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at the home. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Keene. Pastoral Assistant Rob Favorite officiated and interment followed at Redeemer’s Lutheran Cemetery east of Keene. Friends are encouraged to sign the online register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.
Esther Georgina Olson was born Feb. 17, 1916, to Carl and Cora (Hagenston) Olson in Banks, N.D. She moved with her parents and family at an early age to the Alexander, N.D., area where she attended Timber Creek School through the eighth grade. She also attended and was confirmed at the Timber Creek Lutheran Church. Throughout her childhood she worked at several area farm homes as a hired girl.
In the spring of 1939, she began working at the Grantier Ranch where she met Ernest Jore. The couple were married on Nov. 25, 1939, at a parsonage in Sidney, Mont. Ernest worked that winter for Wally Bond on the river bottom feeding cattle. They lived in a log cabin that winter and moved back to the eastern part of Keene where they lived on a farm for 62 years.
Esther was an active member of Keene First Lutheran and the Ladies Aid. She participated in all church activities. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway and Heritage Club. She enjoyed baking and spending time in her garden with all her flowers.
Esther is survived by her son, Dick Jore of Watford City, N.D.; daughters, Coralie (John) Bruegger and Sharon (Duke) Olson, all of Watford City; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Alma Melland of Alexander; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; her parents; sisters, Margaret Zeman and Sylvia Neer, and an infant girl; and brothers, Art, Carl, George, Hugo and Arnold and an infant boy Olson; and a daughter-in-law, Sandy Jore.