ESTHER V. THOMPSON, 87, Hannaford, ND died Monday, April 09, 2012 in the Cooperstown Medical Center Nursing Home in Cooperstown, ND. Esther Viola Haugen was born November 11, 1924 near Hannaford, ND the daughter of Bennie M. and Oline (Harvey) Haugen. She was one of eleven children. She grew up and attended school in Dover Twsp. and graduated from Sutton High School. Esther married John Thompson on November 11, 1947 at the Eidfjord Lutheran Church, rural Walum, ND and began her life as a farm wife and raising seven children. Esther played an important role in her children’s life lessons as well as teaching them how to bake, cook, sew, gardening, canning and to be kind to all. She even shared her gift of snaring gophers to some of her grandsons. She graciously entertained anyone who stopped by to visit. There was always fresh baked bread, cookies, cake and conversation around the kitchen table. Nieces and nephews have many memories of being at the farm with “Little Esther”. Esther will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a lifelong member of Eidfjord Lutheran Church and WELCA. Esther is survived by her husband of 64 years John of Hannaford, ND; children: Muriel (David) Hedrick, Wahpeton, ND, their children, Michael, Dan (Shannon) Joe (Laura) ; Audrey Thompson, Hannaford, ND; John (Donna) Thompson, Hannaford, ND; Kathleen (Gene) Fuglesten, Buxton, ND, their children, Jonathan (Mickey), Scott, Chad (Jessie); Bette (Brad) Messner, McVille, ND, their children, Josh (Erin), Dustin, Jake (Kayla); Jane (Dale) Tucker, Fargo, ND, their children, Ryan, Emily, Abbey; Joan Thompson, Bismarck, ND, her children, Amanda, Aaron, Joe, Ashley. Great grandchildren, Ethan Hedrick, Erica Hedrick Bauer, Owen and Sam Hedrick, Wyatt Hedrick, Tyson and Duane Fuglesten, Abby Fuglesten, Aiyanna and Bailey Smith. Her sister Sylvia Peterson, Fargo, ND and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Oscar, Melford, Clarence and Norman, her sisters, Sophie Peterson, Mildred Dawson, Lillian Leslie, Berneice Cowing and Beverly Cooper. Funeral Services will be Friday, April 13, 2012 at 2:00 pm in the Eidfjord Lutheran Church, rural Walum, ND. Visitation will be Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 5:00 till 7:00 in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. A Prayer service will be Thursday at 7:00 pm in the Funeral Home. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of ESTHER V. THOMPSON, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.