Esther Dunphy

Esther Dunphy
Esther Dunphy, Florence, AZ, formerly of Jamestown, ND, passed away quietly in her sleep on February 15, 2007 at the age of 84 years.
Ester May Williams was born August 18, 1922 in Jamestown, North Dakota, the daughter of Harvey and Celia (Coil) Williams, the oldest of 6 children. Esther and her parents spent the first few years of her life living with her grandparents on a farm near Windsor, ND. She often mentioned how her grandmother spoiled her those first few years. She attended high school in Jamestown, ND. She also attended nursing school in Jamestown and was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown. On January 23, 1946, she married James Robert Dunphy in Pingree, ND. James had proposed to Esther on their first date. They farmed near Buchanan and then Windsor before settling on a farm near Woodworth. They later moved to Isle, MN, raising seven children along the way. In 1974, Jimmy and Esther moved to Florence, AZ. They were married for 45 years before James died in 1991 in Little Falls, MN, while visiting family. James is also buried in Buchanan, ND.
Esther loved meeting new people. As a registered nurse, she worked in hospitals and nursing homes in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. Yet, every summer while living in AZ, the two would pack up to see family and friends to the north, always "heading in the general direction," as they said. Esther made friends everywhere she went. Her friendly personality and her love of people were some of her most endearing qualities. She always said, "I was put on this Earth to help people." This is how she lived her life. One of her favorite things was wearing colorful hats. Esther liked to grow plants, travel, sew, read, and take care of her home. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include 6 sons: Robert (Diane), Seattle, WA; Don, San Francisco, CA; Dennis, St. Cloud, MN; James, Florence, AZ; Michael, Marne, MI; Mark (Laura), Isle, MN; a daughter, Mary (Cliff) Kraust, Preston, MN; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, LaVerne Wahl, Jamestown, ND and 3 brothers, Donald Williams, Cleveland, ND, Vern Williams, Fargo, ND, formerly Kindred, ND and Kenneth Williams, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years and a brother, Robert William.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007 at The Basilica Of St. James, Jamestown, ND with Father Joe Barrett officiating.
Prayer Service: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown and 1 hour prior to services in the church on Saturday.
Memorials - In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to RTA Hospice Foundation, 1675 East Monument Plaza Drive, Casa Grande, AZ 85222