Esther Viola Janzen

Esther Viola Janzen was born in Cottonwood County, Carson Township on March 6, 1925, daughter Karl and Katherina (Balzer) Rickert. She was raised on a farm northwest of Mountain Lake. She attended 80E Country school and Mountain Lake Public School, graduating in 1943.

On April 19, 1925, Esther was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed on April 2, 1939. She remained a devout, life-long member.  Fellowship through the work of the Altar Guild, Missionary League, World Relief quilting and bible studies strengthened her devotion to Jesus and the church family. Her kindness and compassion reflected the teachings of Christ.

Esther worked at Worthmore Produce in Mountain Lake. This is where she met her future husband, Dan Janzen. On April 4, 1947, Esther Rickert and Dan Janzen were united in marriage at the Lutheran Parsonage. They were married for 58 years.

Dan and Esther started farming south of Mountain Lake in 1950 and continued until retirement. She was a strong partner in managing the farm, having a strong work ethic and faith to sustain them during hardship. Esther also worked outside the home at Land O’Lakes and the Good Samaritan Home.

From 2012 - 2021, Esther lived with her daughter, Sandra, traveling back and forth from Deerwood, Minnesota to Tampa, Florida, gaining new friends, participating in Tai Chi and enjoying pontoon rides on the lake.

Esther loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed golfing, gardening and reading, traveling, quilting and embroidery.

Esther moved to Lyngblomsten Care Center on June 24, 2021. She continued to make friends and entertain other residents with her ready smile and wave and her many offers of help to the staff and residents. A special thank you to all the caring staff at Lyngblomsten and Hospice. Contributions can be made to Lyngblomsten Foundation, 1415 Almond Ave, St Paul, MN 55108 or Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake, MN.

Survivors include her four children: daughters Sandra Janzen of Tampa, FL and Deerwood MN; Barbara Janzen of Maple Grove, MN; Glenda Janzen of St Paul, MN and son Curtis (Sherri), three grandchildren, Brian (Shanoah), Brady (Jeana) and Lacey (Darrin) Eichacker and six great grandchildren Kelby and Hali, Jacob, Cora and Marcus, and Haisley.  She is survived by her brother Harold (Hal) Rickert of Minneapolis.  Esther was preceded in death by her husband Dan Janzen in 2005, her parents Karl and Katherina Rickert, sisters Annie Hoppe, Minnie Olson, Amanda Rickert, Katherine Rickert and Emma Norland and brothers Henry, Walter, Fred and Carl (Pete).