Esther Sturgeon

Esther Johanna Koehn Sturgeon was born April 1, 1913 and died June 19, 2010. She joins her beloved husband George Charles Sturgeon who died in August, 2001. Esther was born and raised in Jamestown, North Dakota, youngest of six children of her German Immigrant parents Ferdinand and Augusta Ell Koehn. Other immigrant family members and the families of her older married siblings created a close extended family in and around Jamestown.

She was a woman of profound faith, dedicated to her church and to the Lord. As her end approached, she expressed a desire to "be in the arms of Jesus." Her father and her extended family were stalwart founders and sustaining members of Saint John's Lutheran in Jamestown. When the family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1954, her dedication was extended and sustained in the United Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. She and husband George were especially dedicated to the United Lutheran Shalom Church Camp at Maple Lake near Mentor, Minnesota, the site of their cherished summer cabin. Music was an integral part of her life within her church. She was church organist, choir member and choir director. She made sure all family members were also involved.

A scholarship enabled her attendance at Jamestown College where she studied organ and piano. While her emphasis shifted from performance to encouragement and appreciation, through all of Esther's years her focus on music never faltered. For more than 65 years she promoted music appreciation in North Dakota and nationally. She held several offices with North Dakota Federation of Music clubs, National Federation of Music clubs, and the Thursday Music club of Grand Forks. She was North Dakota and National Chairman of Folk Music for several years. Thursday Music Club of Grand Forks awarded her the Gold Note Award for lifelong efforts to promote and enrich our appreciation of the musical arts. Esther and husband George were key participants in the development and promotion of the International Peace Garden Music Camp. In recognition of that body of work, she was accepted into the International Music Camp Order of Crossed Flags.

Esther is survived by her sons George Dennis (Norma), Richard Ross (Pamela) and James William (Lori) Sturgeon. She had six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She lived her final seven years in Lincoln, Nebraska, the home of her eldest son George. Family and friends can take comfort in Esther's peaceful demise.

Services and burial will be in Jamestown, North Dakota on Thursday, June 24th, at 2 p.m. in the Lisko Funeral Chapel, Pastor Harlen Kaden officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel. Memorials in her honor to the charity of your choice.