Esther Heggen
Esther Heggen, 88, formerly of Alexander N.D., died peacefully in the arms of loved ones on Feb. 25, 2025, in her apartment in Billings, Mont.
Esther Elaine Okland was born on Aug. 14, 1936 in Watford City N.D. She was the 9th of 11 children born to Thomas Okland and Ingaborg Stenslie Okland.
Esther was baptized in Farland Lutheran Church north of Arnegard, N.D. She attended grades 1-6 in rural Moline School and grades 7-12 at Alexander Public School in western N.D. She attended Minot State Teachers College and taught 1 year at Moline Rural School.
Esther married her high school sweetheart and love of her life Jerome “Nick” Heggen on Jan. 17, 1955, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alexander, N.D.
They were partners in life and on the dance floor for over 65 years!
Esther loved her teaching career and felt it prepared her for her lifelong career of raising 3 children, Tom, Julie and Andy, and maintaining a farm life household for over 5 decades. On her last day of life she reminisced about her love of gardening, canning, baking, bringing home-cooked meals to the fields during harvest season, sewing, quilting and hanging freshly laundered sheets on the clothesline to dry in the lovely country breeze.
Esther loved puzzles, scrabble, chocolate, children, reading the Bible and talking with people.
Esther spent many years as a caregiver to her mother, Inga and her mother-in-law, Julia. She often said what an honor it was to care for and learn from these elders who she loved so much.
Esther was a gifted seamstress and needle worker. She sewed stunning wedding quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She had a natural instinct for color and design combinations. She quilted with her church quilting groups for decades and being together with her fellow quilters was a vital social and spiritual part of her life. She was also proficient at the Norwegian needlecraft of Hardanger. This medium enabled her to combine her Norwegian heritage and skilled craftsmanship into loving works of art. Esther also sewed countless clothing items for Nick, herself, her children and grandchildren in addition to many matching square dancing outfits for her and Nick to wear, much to the envy of the other dancers!
Esther and Nick retired from farming in 2011 and moved to a home in Billings. They moved to the Sweetwater Retirement Community in 2014.
Esther devoted her life to service for others - to her family and to her community and to the world. In her last months, it was difficult for her to be the recipient of service. Even on her very last day, she hoped that she wasn’t being a burden. She was reminded of how she felt joyful when she could give loving care and that now was the time for her to receive loving care. Some of her last words were: “I am at peace. I know where I am going. I know the Lord is waiting for me. I am ready to see Nick and Andy. This feels wonderful.”
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome “Nick”; son, Andrew; parents, Thomas and Inga; her siblings, Leonard, Ben, Eleanor, Mildred, Ruth, Ingvald, Lila, Mel, Phil, and Anna.
Esther is survived by her son, Tom of Red Lodge, Mont.; daughter, Julie (Bruce) Busta of Duluth Minn.; daughter-in-law, Terri of Billings Mont.; grandchildren, Nicholas (Tami), Asha (Ross), Dalton (Reatta), Lucas (Erica), Elliot (Kim); 8 great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild.
A celebration of Esther’s life was held on Saturday March 1, 2:30 p.m, at Sweetwater Retirement Community, Billings. Burial will be in Alexander, N.D., at a later date.
The family sends their profound thanks to the staff and residents of the Sweetwater Community for their service, support, and friendship for more than 11 years. You gave both mom and dad great joy!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Piecemakers Quilters Group, 1108 24th St., W., Billings MT 59102.