Esther Odella Haller

Esther Odella Haller, 94, Maple Grove, formerly of Red Wing, died Sunday at North Ridge Care Center, New Hope, Minnesota. She was born November 1, 1912 in Cottonwood, Minnesota the daughter of Oscar and Emelia (Reishus) Erickson. She was baptized and confirmed in St. Lucas Church, rural Cottonwood. She attended country school in Vallers Township, Lyon County, Minn. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1930 and also took an International Accounting Course. She married Raymond Minnick in June of 1937 and they moved to Red Wing. He died in 1948. She married Bill Haller and they later divorced. She was employed by Land 'o Lakes Creamery at Marshall for seven years as a bookkeeper and as County Executive Director of Federal Farm Programs in Goodhue County for 26 years. She was a member of United Lutheran Church, in Red Wing, serving as a Sunday School teacher, church council member and on the altar guild. She was a member of St. John's Hospital Auxiliary and she volunteered at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Red Wing. She was active in the Minnesota Agricultural Employee Association, representing ASCS in terms as President and Secretary of the State Employees. She moved to Maple Grove in 1996 and joined Maple Grove Lutheran Church. She loved having company and spending time with her family.

Survivors include one son, David (Connie) Minnick of Red Wing; one son-in-law, James Bakke of Maple Grove; six grandchildren: Thomas (Gail) Minnick of Belle Plain, Anthony (Randi) Minnick of Minneapolis, David (Michelle) Bakke of Otsego, Timothy Bakke of Maple Grove, Darren (Jennie) Asleson of Farmington and Keith Asleson of Goodhue; eleven great-grandchildren: Taylor, Cole, Travis and Manton Minnick, Tyler, Miranda, Alex, Christian and Derrick Bakke, Jacob McKinley and Brynn Asleson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Minnick; her daughter, Diane Bakke; one granddaughter, Jennifer McKinley and four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral will be 11 a. m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Reverend Carroll Marohl officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Tom and Tony Minnick, David and Tim Bakke, Darren and Keith Asleson. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Engh, Don and Jack McLaughlin, Dale and Ron Erickson, Marilyn Wood and Linda Volberding. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel is handling arrangements.