- Date Of Birth: April 12, 1936
- Date Of Death: November 30, 2020
- State: Minnesota
Esther McFarland, 84, of Alvarado, MN, died in her home while on Hospice, on Monday, November 30, 2020, with her children at her side.
Esther Mildred was born on April 12, 1936, in Holt, MN, the daughter of Lawrence and Evelyn (Tobiason) Haglund. She attended grade school in Holt and high school in Newfolden, MN. Following graduation, Esther moved to Minneapolis for work (and to be closer to her sweetheart). On October 21, 1955, Esther was united in marriage to Arlan McFarland. They moved back near his hometown of Oslo, MN, in Bigwoods Township,where they worked the family farm side-by-side. During those years, Esther was a true “farm wife;” not only taking care of their four children, but also making meals for the men, working in the fields, and even reluctantly driving the trucks.
Esther was devoted to her church from the time she settled on the farm. She brought her children to Bigwoods Lutheran Church every Sunday without fail and had a strong relationship with the Lord. Her family time was spent up at their place on Lake of the Woods, cruising around or fishing from the boat with Arlan. Back home, Esther enjoyed gardening and photography. After Arlan passed away on May 26, 2006, Esther resided on the family farm until she moved into her son’s home in Alvarado in 2015.
She is survived by three of her children, Brenda (Dean) Qualley of Moorhead, MN, Terrie (Ron) Clemetson of Grand Forks, ND, and Tim McFarland of Alvarado; son-in-law, Dennis Daley; sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dorothy Osse of Monticello, MN, John (Shirley) Haglund of Duluth, MN, and Mabel Dagen of Humbolt, MN.
In addition to her husband of 50 years, Arlan; Esther was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Daley; brother, Lawrence Haglund; and brother-in-law, Dean Dagen.
