Esther Christina Ljungren

Esther Christina (Elhard) Ljungren, 97, died on Friday, January 3, 2025. A service celebrating Esther’s life will be held on January 10, 2025 at 11am at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Sebeka, MN. A family burial will be held at a later date. Visitation one hour before.

Esther was born to John G. and Magdalena (Kuhn) Elhard on April 25, 1927. She is one of 8 children in the town of Jud, ND. She attended a small country school ½ mile from the farm through 8th grade. She graduated high school in 1944 from Jud. 

Off to Fargo she went, where she attended Dakota Business College. She finished an 18-month course in 15 months, the overachiever she was, and started work for Mutual of New York. While there she worked her way up the ladder to Senior Clerk. She was the employee of the year during her time with the company. 

She was also a Sunday School teacher and had a set of twins at Calvary Evangelical United Brethren Church, Fargo, ND. The twins’ parents thought she would be a “perfect match” for one of their beet truck drivers. Enter Charlie Ljungren. They were married on June 1, 1957. Charlie and Esther took over the Ljungren family farm in Sebeka, MN where they raised two daughters; Susan and Janice. On March 31, 2022 Charlie passed away which created a huge hole in her heart. She missed him immensely. The two of them were a display of true teamwork on their dairy farm operation. Esther was active in church and quilting. She loved to garden and support her daughters. 

Charlie and Esther have two children, Susan (Delroy) Jordahl-Moorhead, MN, and Janice (Dwayne) Watt-Bartlesville, OK. Three grandchildren: Jessica (Ryan) Schumacher, Jason (Morgan) Jordahl and Kellen Watt. Five Great-Grandchildren: Hudson, Eva, and Emerson Schumacher and Pepper and Lillie Jordahl. One Sister-in-Law, Evelyn Elhard. 

She was preceded in death by parents John and Magdalena Elhard, siblings Edwin, Ruth, Emelia, Emma, Wilbert, and Reuben; and brother-in-law-Don Ljungren and his wife Ruth.