Esther Emma Augustin

Esther Augustin, age 95 of Crystal, ND passed away Monday, February 17, 2014 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Esther Emma, the daughter of Otto "O.C" and Minnie (Wilhelmina Dencker) Schulz was born November 4, 1918 in Lodema Township in Pembina County, North Dakota. She grew up on the Schulz farm in rural Crystal and graduated from Crystal Public School. She then attended North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo, where she became a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity and earned a degree in Home Economics. She taught Home Economics and Science at Crystal Public School until her marriage to Milton Augustin on October 16, 1948. They were married forty-four years during which they lived and farmed in Elora Township. Esther was a life-long member of St. John's Lutheran Church of rural Crystal, baptized, confirmed, married and interred at St. John's. She was a Sunday school teacher and an active member of the Lutheran Women's Mission League. She was active in the community as a member of the Friendly Homemaker's club, the American Legion Auxiliary and as a 4-H leader. Esther's interests and hobbies included: china painting, drawing, water color painting, crocheting, knitting, baking bread, reading and traveling. Esther and Milton enjoyed spending winters in Harlingen, Texas. She made her home in Devils Lake, North Dakota after Milton's death and later moved to the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, North Dakota Esther is survived by her son, Lee (Lesley) Augustin, Crystal, ND; her daughter, Marilyn (Warren) Hall, Hoople, ND; and her daughter, Jane (Dick) Horner, Starkweather, ND. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Julie Hall, Sarah (Jason) Lovas, Jessica (Scott) Gauslow, Christopher Augustin, Kevin (Amy) Hall, Elizabeth (Jesse) Beckers, Alicia (Brian) Harstad and Laura (Jonathan) Rieger; and she is survived by six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Milton, grandson, Jeffery Augustin, parents, Otto and Minnie Schulz, brother, Robert (Francis) Schulz and sisters: Elsie (Clifford) Moquist and Anna (Cyril) Illing. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. John's Lutheran Church of Crystal, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Crystal.