Esther Gendreau

Esther Gendreau, 95, of Langdon, ND passed away Sunday December 28, 2008 at the Altru Hospital.

Esther was born July 16, 1913 in Minneapolis, MN to Evelyn Gjevre Overby. She attended Osnabrock Township school for nine years, graduated from Nekoma High School in 1931 and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Albert A. Lebrun and Esther were married November 14, 1933 in Munich, ND. They farmed at Clyde, ND for two years and moved to Langdon, ND. In August 1937 they bought the Gamble Store Agency. Albert passed away June 23, 1941. Esther continued to operate the Gamble Store business. Esther was a member of the Sweet Adeline’s, President of the St. Alphonsus Altar Society, sang in the church choir and was a founding member of the Langdon Country Club. Esther married Hector Gendreau September 1, 1954. Together they operated the Gamble Store and also farmed in the Olga area. They Gamble store was sold in 1968. After retirement Esther and Hector enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends.

Esther is survived by four sons: Gene Gendreau and wife Donna Rae, Bismarck, ND, William Gendreau, Bismarck, ND, Hector Gendrea, Reno, Nevada, Keith Gendreau, Beulah, ND and daughter-in-law Barbara Gendreau, Fargo, ND 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Evelyn Overby husbands Albert A. Lebrun and Hector Gendreau, son Roger A. Gendreau and grandson Casey Gendreau.

VISITATION will begin at 3pm with a 7:30pm prayer service all at the Brooks Funeral Home of Langdon on Friday January 2, 2009. Visitation will also take place for one hour before the time of the services at the church on Saturday.

SERVICES 2:00 O �clock Saturday January 3, 2009 at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND

INTERMENT Calvary Cemetery, Langdon, ND

CONDOLENCES

Esther was a happy person and because of it her smile blossomed like a flower and everyone in her family and her entire society, have benefited from her peace, love and friendship. Esther was a strong, gentle, calm women who is loved. She was a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, and a blessed sheltering rock in a storm to so many.MemoriesMay they carry you throughlifting you from abovetheir memories so true.You feel so much of their love,hating their today's being gone.In your mind they still belong.andAll the rest of your lifeyou may feel strifebecause they will be thereand it hurts to care.They have no worries or plights;You will think of them when alone or at night and certainly have no fear

Something at times can trigger a tear,

That makes them flow and last. It because their souls are so steadfast. My deepest sympathy

John Bergman

TO ALL OF YOU DEAR GENDREAU'S. I AM SO SORRY -SO SAD - I LOST MY "MOM" THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD. AND SHE'S YOUR MOM!! SUCH A WONDERFUL GAL - SO FULL OF LAUGHTER AND FUN. I WILL MISS HER TERRIBLY! :-( BUT NOW WE HAVE AN ANGEL DON'T WE, BOYS? SHE IS GOING TO HELP ME THRU MY TRAUMATIC SITUATION - AND SHE WILL HELP MY BILL THRU HIS. HOW WE LOVED HER! SHE ALWAYS TALKED OF HER WONDERFUL BOYS. HOW SHE APPRECIATED EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR HER. SHE LOVED EACH OF YOU SO MUCH. SHE ALWAYS HAD GOD AT HER SIDE.MY CONDOLENCES TO EACH AND ALL OF YOU! I ONLY WISH I COULD BE THERE WITH YOU.

LOVE, HUGS, AND KISSES -FROM TERESA TOO!

PEGGY MULLIGAN CREANPHOENIX, ARIZONA

OUR MOM HAS GONE TO A MUCH BETTER PLACE! I'M SURE SHE AND ALICE ARE HAVING A REAL CELEBRATION TOGETHER UP THERE. I CAN HEAR THEM CHUCKLING! :-)

To the family of a very wonderful lady...our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of your Mom. She will be in our memories for her wonderful smile and very positive attitude towards life. May she now enjoy the love of the God she loved so dearly.Srs. Petronilla Metzger and Maureen Walker

To a very special lady that we will all miss! Our sympathies to the boys and their families. She will be deeply missed and we all can be very thankful for getting to know her sweet and kind heart she had. Keep your memories alive by thinking of all the things she brought into your lives.

Keith and Lori Benoit

My most heartfelt sympathy to the Gendreaus at the loss of Mrs. Gendreau. I have so many fond memories of growing up in Langdon around the Gendreaus (Hector helping Keith and I with our religion and science projects in the basement of the hardware store - never were the Stations of the Cross told so compellingly or the planets displayed so brilliantly!). She will be missed. I will remember her and the family in my prayers and at Holy Mass.Tom Nelson

The Nelson family sends heartfelt condolences to the family of Esther. She was a wonderful friend and loved by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed. We send our love and prayers to you during this difficult time.

With sincerest sympathy, Eileen, Tom and Kathy Nelson

I never met Esther, however I know her daughter-in-law, Barb through her parents Howard and Ann Foxen. I know Barb was very blessed to have a mother-in-law like Esther, and Esther's family is in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathies. Rev. John Syvertson ONE OF LANGDON'S FINEST FAMILYS,AS A KID I TRULEY DID ENJOY HECTOR & ESTER THEIR STORE WAS ALWAYS FILLED WITH KID THINGS,AND ROGER WAS A TRUE FRIEND,I MISS THEM ALL MY CONDOLENCES,TO YOU ALL R.H.''BOB'' PUNG SR

Our sincere sympathy and prayers for all of you. We are in Colorado enjoying time with our daughter's family and Esther's angel must have directed me to check the obituaries... was so shocked and saddened but I know she was ready to go to her promised and so deserved rewards awaiting her in Heaven. She was so proud of all of you and never ceased to tell me all that you do for her...I loved to see her pictures and hear her stories of your families. I had such a good visit with her and so enjoyed doing her photo and the Christmas cards and also took pictures of the house that bright sunny day in November so she could share it with her friends...she was always so appreciative of every little thing. We have been on the receiving end of so many of her "goodies"...especially her "maple chocolates"...we have wonderful memories of a wonderful "lady" and will miss her. Won't be home for her services but we will be with you in our thoughts and prayers. Want to share with you that December 28th is a special day as that is the day Grandpa George went home to his rewards also...in 1991.God Bless Esther's Family!

Bill & Darlene BrooksI am very sorry to hear that you mother died. I am so glad that I got to visit a little bit with her last Friday. Your mom was a special lady. Both your mom and dad were so good to my mother after my dad died. I will never forget them. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I keep thinking that our parents are having a good time together up in heaven.and of course Roger is right there with them.

Doris (Klein) Johnson

Our sympathy to all of the Gendreau Family. I am so grateful for having had the opportunity for a wonderful visit with dear Esther last August while visiting Langdon. She was so sweet and so grateful for her wonderful boys and their love and kindness. It makes me smile to think of the heavenly reunions she, her loved ones and friends must be enjoying!

Janet (Wild) Cota

Dear Keith, Gene, Bill, Hecktor, and Barbara... What a blessing our families have been closely bound by friendship for years. Your loving parents were so kind, warm, and genuine…always making us feel welcome and special. Sitting at the breakfast nook watching your Mom make cookies, especially those great Christmas candies, was a treat. The hospitality overflowed around your dinning room table many times during the holidays -- a great home to celebrate in, a great family to celebrate with. We’re lucky to have had wonderful parents like yours as good examples. My heart, and those of all our family, go out to each of you with love and appreciation for letting us be “part” of your family. We’ll celebrate with you by cherishing the memory of your Mom and Dad, and of course Coach Roger too! (What a bridge game the gang from “the hill” must be having!) Paul & Lee Anne Wild

“The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord life up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”Paul Wild

What a privilege to know such a special lady! Esther was loved by all those experiencing the joy of her presence. She is safe in all our hearts and is at peace... I Love you Esther...Mary Jo Bergman Teresa amd I extend our sympathy as well as our thank you for all the wonderful years we enjoyed Esther as our Langdon neighbor and lifetime friend. All of you will be in our prayers. We have kept in touch with Esther throughout all these years and will join her when our time comes. Tom & Teresa Mulligan

My sympathy to the Gendreau family some of whom I have never met! As a small child in a part of Langdon where sidewalks were few and far between I must have spent many hours on Esther's front steps adjusting my roller skates and skating down her sidewalk. Many years later I remember sitting on those same steps and listening to Hector tell long ago stories. They were a very special couple in our neighborhood for many many years. All of us felt knowing them was a special treat. With love and prayers, Rita Maisel I am so truly saddened with the death of Esther. She was the grandest lade I have ever met. She made me feel so special whenever we visited. Not ever drawing attention to herself, who was the truly special one. I do wish I could have been there to celebrate her true resurection. My sympathy to all the family. Inez Hamann Rath

Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Esther, I do know her son Bill. He is a kind, generous man and I assume his mother played a very important role in this. My thoughts are with the Gendraeu family. Bill Pflipsen