Esther G. Dalburg

Esther G. (Andersen) Dalburg, 96 of McVille ND died peacefully on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Sanford Health Palliative Care, surrounded by her loving daughter, Sandra and caring nurses, Jenna and Cheryl.

Esther was born on September 22, 1920 to Niels and Marie Andersen in Foster County ND. She graduated from Juanita High School in 1938. She received her Standard Teaching Degree in 1940 from Valley City State College and taught in rural schools in Foster County and Steele County. She also was grade school principal for Blabon School. Also, during the WW2 years, she worked at George L. Detterbeck Company in Chicago IL. There, she worked as an engineer designing cams for automatic screw machines. During her teaching years, Esther attended Valley City State University in the summers of 1962-1970 to obtain her degree. She was granted her BSSE degree in August of 1970 with honors.

In September of 1945 Esther met Richard (Mickey) Dalburg on a train from Fargo to Hope ND and McVille ND. After they met, they corresponded regularly and were married on May 7, 1946. Their only daughter, Sandra, was born in 1948.

Esther was very active in the McVille community. She taught in the McVille school system from 1953 until her retirement in 1986. Teaching junior high students was her passion and her first love! She taught 7th and 8th grades for many years and, in later years, taught Jr. High English and Home Ec.

After retirement, she served as a board member for the Nelson County Health System Foundation and as a volunteer at the nursing home. Also, she was a Hospice volunteer, a member of the McVille Cemetery board, of the American Legion Auxiliary, and the McVille Lutheran Church where she participated in many activities.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Sandra Dalburg of Fargo/McVille ND; 1 sister, Evelyn Haber of St. Cloud MN; godchildren, Bruce Haber, Randall Jacobsen, Julie (Andersen) Schumaker, Mike Sigette, Mavis (Nygard) Spitzer, and Scott Swenseth; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Mickey) Dalburg, her parents, brothers Hans, Helger, Elmer, Frimoth, and Henning Andersen; sister, Elly Jacobsen; and nephews, Harold Andersen and Barry Andersen.

Esther and her daughter were very thankful and appreciative of the special care that both of them received at Sanford Palliative Care from the nurses and doctors there and also of the kind support from many friends and family during Esther's illness.

Visitation will be at Stanley Iverson Funeral Home in McVille on Sunday April 23 from 4-6 pm and one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service which will be held on Monday, April 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the McVille Lutheran Church. Interment at McVille Cemetery will immediately follow the Service. Honors will be by McVille American Legion Auxiliary, Ole Semling Unit 135.

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