October 5, 2011

Esther Stewart

Funeral services for Esther Stewart, 84, of Watford City, N.D., were at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, at the Watford City Wesleyan Church, with Pastor Jeff Ruggles officiating. Musical selections were provided by Duane Sanford and Trish Skoglund. Casketbearers were Ken Sanford, Ron Sanford, Tim Jorgenson, Tom Jorgenson, Brian Skurupey and Jeff Johnson. Ushers were Gary Melland and Mitch Griebel. Interment took place in the Schafer Cemetery. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Esther Stewart went to her heavenly home on Saturday evening, Sept. 24, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City.
Esther was born on April 10, 1927, in rural McKenzie County, N.D., to George O. Thomas, Sr. and Lilly Griebel Thomas, into a family of 13 children. She attended country schools at Lakeview and Rocky Glenn. At an early age, Esther quit school and went to work at the Kennedy Ranch, then babysitting for school teachers in Fairview and Nohly. She also topped beets in Fairview and picked spuds in Arnegard. In 1943, she picked cherries in the Flathead Valley. Esther was united in marriage to Frank Stewart on Feb. 14, 1963, and they made their home in Watford City. They later moved to Glendive, Mont., and then returned to Watford City, where they have lived ever since.
When Esther was young, she liked to camp out, hunt, fish, travel and shop. She also liked to take care of her nieces and nephews and spend as much time with her family as possible. Esther loved her cat, Rusty, very much.
She is survived by: her husband, Frank Stewart, Watford City; her sisters, Eva Sanford and Barbara (Dale) Jorgenson, all of Watford City; her brother, Marvin (Annice) Thomas, Los Alamitos, Calif.; her sister-in-laws, Billie Thomas, Cadiz, Ky., and Pat Thomas, Lyndeu, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, her sisters, Florence Johnson, Hazel Johnson, Clara Johnson, Lillian Knight, and Vivian Beckman; and her brothers, George O. Thomas, Jr., Floyd Thomas, Roy Thomas, and Ralph Thomas.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER