Esther Bertha Hansen -- Austin

The funeral for Esther Bertha Hansen will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin, with the Rev. Kent Otterman officiating. Burial will be in Cedar City Cemetery.

Mrs. Hansen, 94, of Austin, a former area farm homemaker, died Saturday (Sept. 25, 2004) at St. Mark's Lutheran Home in Austin.

Esther Bertha Weber was born Aug. 3, 1910, in Deer Creek, Minn. On Feb. 14, 1940, she married Eric Hansen at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle, Minn. They farmed near Deer Creek for a number of years, then southwest of Austin and later east of Austin before moving to Austin. Mrs. Hansen was a dietary assistant at St. Olaf Hospital from 1956 to 1972. After her husband's death, on Nov. 11, 1986, she continued to live in Austin. She was a longtime member of the Eagles Club, a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, and a former member of Trondjem Lutheran Church, where she was active in ladies aid. She enjoyed gardening and crocheting.

Survivors include a daughter, Lois (Gary) Bahl of Austin; a son, Alvin (Diane) of Olive Branch, Miss.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. A brother and a sister preceded her in death.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and an hour before the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Mark's Lutheran Home, Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center or the American Cancer Society.