Esther Alice Ruttum Dawson

After 94 years of spreading joy and laughter, Esther Alice Ruttum Dawson passed into eternal life on Oct. 2, 2018. The middle child of seven, Esther was born to Anton and Elsie (Shewell) Ruttum in 1924 on a prairie farm near Astoria, SD. In 1947, Esther met the love of her life, J. Walter Dawson. They shared 56 wonderful years together before his death in 2003. Her brothers and sisters, Irene Orrick, Audrey Nelson, Talwin, Wayne, and Richard Ruttum, and Sharon Filholm, also preceded Esther in death. Esther is survived by brother-in-law Doug Filholm, brother-in-law Richard Dawson (Susie) and sister-in-law Ginny Chesonis (Phil); children and spouses Jan Patton (Bob), Karen Haag (Rich), Tom Dawson, Mary May (Tom), and Bill Dawson (Diane); 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and 29 nieces and nephews. Esther and Walt met in Washington, DC, and married on April 12, 1947 at Luther Place Memorial Church. Shortly after, Esther and Walt moved to Walt's hometown of Rochester, NY, so that Walt could work at Kodak. Walt and Esther found a perfect home to raise their growing family in Irondequoit - right across St. Paul Blvd. from Resurrection Lutheran Church. The church and its members became a beloved part of their life. Esther and Walt loved singing in the choir. Esther also gave her time generously to volunteer activities at Resurrection Church, in the community and especially at the Al Sigl Center in Rochester, where she was a volunteer of the year. Plus, they traveled taking their family camping across the U.S. making sure their children knew their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. When not busy with community service and raising her five children, Esther relished winning at bridge, bowling and golf. Esther also cherished her Norwegian heritage and Astoria, South Dakota roots. "Uff da!" she'd often exclaim. When Walt retired in 1977, they moved "home" to Esther's beloved prairie and built an A-frame house on the lake just a few miles from Astoria in Hendricks, Mn. Esther loved reconnecting with her South Dakota family and friends, especially her sister Sharon, Doug and their children. She moved her active lifestyle with her, singing in the choir, volunteering through Christ Lutheran Church, winning golf tournaments, and playing cards. Her final resting place will be beside her beloved Walt in the cemetery at Singsaas Lutheran Church near her birthplace. For 20 years Esther and Walt split their time between summers in Hendricks and winters in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1997, Esther and Walt made their last move, to be near their children living in Columbus Ohio. The people and activities of North Community Lutheran Church became a vital part of their life there. In addition, Esther sang, bowled, played bridge and golfed into her late 80s. Her sense of humor never took a break. She cracked a joke, loved a story, and laughed with family and strangers even at The Sanctuary Retirement and Assisted Living Facility. A Celebration of Life Service for Esther will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at North Community Lutheran Church, 114 Morse Road, Columbus Ohio with a lunch following. Everyone is welcome to join us and share favorite stories about Mom. The family wishes to thank the staff of The Sanctuary at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, Ohio, and the staff of Capital City Hospice for the loving care they provided mom. Donations in Esther's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio www.alz.org/centralohio and Capital City Hospice www.capitalcityhospice.com.

Esther Alice Ruttum Dawson

January 22, 1924 - October 2, 2018