Esther Viola Waaraniemi

Born as the youngest daughter of Swedish immigrants Emil and Hannah Jarvie on June 22, 1921, Esther Viola Jarvie Waaraniemi grew up with her three sisters and five brothers on their farm near Esko, Minnesota, where she also graduated from high school. The family endured the Depression years and 1940s wartime difficulties, with several of the children serving overseas—sadly, one never returned. The Jarvies were members of the Esko congregation, where Esther served in later years as that Laestadian Lutheran congregation’s secretary. Esther became a registered nurse through St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, and nursing became her life’s work. At age 59 God gave her a husband, widower John Waaraniemi. Their marriage in 1980 brought new roles and titles—wife, mother, grandmother, and later great-grandmother, and even great-great grandmother. The Waaraniemis lived in Menahga, Minn., and Esther accompanied John on speaking and visiting trips and entertained guests, including the Waaraniemi children and their families. John and Esther visited several states—including some winter stays in Arizona—as well as trips to Canada, Finland, and Sweden. While in Menahga, John and Esther were members of the Westside Laestadian Lutheran congregation in rural Sebeka, which congregation later relocated to Menahga. John and Esther spent their last few years together in Menahga’s Woodside Manor. After John’s passing in 2000, Esther continued to live there until moving to the Minneapolis area to live with family. Esther had a very cheery, positive nature, loved conversation, was fond of dogs, and was an avid reader. She met life’s adventures, changes, and even health challenges with an accepting attitude. She often spoke about family and her believing friends and expressed gratitude for God’s guidance and blessings, the greatest of which was the gift of living faith. Esther is survived by daughters: Kathy Helmke, Jean (Kermit) Ylitalo, Ann Waaraniemi, and Ruth Potter, and the Waaraniemi sons Duane (Carol), Neil (Ruth), Paul (Diane), Mark (Kathy), Ray (Leanda), Keith (Kathy), and Dan (Marjo-Riitta), and many grandchildren and their families. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families, other relatives and many friends, as well as many brothers and sisters in faith. In addition to her parents, Esther was preceded in death by: husband John; son and daughter-in-law John and Joan Waaraniemi; sisters, Ida Leppa, Maymie Dixon, and Helen Sunnarborg and their husbands; Jarvie brothers, Leonard, George, Edwin, Arnold, and Paul and their wives. Passing before her were also some nieces and nephews and other relatives. After recent decline in her health and receiving in-home hospice care, Esther was called to her eternal rest on May 8, 2018 in Menahga with family at her side.Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, May 15,  2018 at Glen Haven Cemetery in Crystal, MN.