Esther H. Blanchard died December 22, 2009 at Augustana Nursing Home in Hastings, MN.  She was born on August 23, 1920 in Livona, ND, and was the youngest of 6 siblings.  Esther moved to Akely, MN in 1936, where she graduated from high school in 1938.  She worked in Minneapolis, where she met and married John A. Johnson in April, 1940.  John and Esther had two sons, Arlo and Kevin.  After WWII, they moved to Nevis, MN, where Johnny worked as the local barber.  In October 1960, they moved to Rochester.  John died in July, 1970.  Esther married Okay Blanchard in June, 1973 in Rochester.  Mr. Blanchard died in 2005.

Survivors include son, Arlo (Toshiko); four grandchildren Kathy (Masa) Sumida of Okinawa, Japan, Taniya Johnson of Cottage Grove, MN, and Jamie (Jennifer) of Hastings, MN, and Grant Johnson of Rochester; three great-grandchildren Taylor and Tori (Taniya) of Cottage Grove, MN, and Kelly (Jamie and Jennifer) of Hastings, MN.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, and son Kevin.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 28, at 11:00AM at Macken Funeral Home, with Pastor Wesley Gabel officiating.  Friends may call on hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Grand Meadow, MN at a later date.