Esther Gilbert

Esther Gilbert, 101, Jud, ND, died Friday, December 23, 2005 at the Ashley Medical Center Nursing Home, Ashley, ND.
Esther Clara Podoll was born November 21, 1904 on a farm 5 miles southwest of Jud, ND, the daughter of Herman and Adeline (Abraham) Podoll. She was raised and attended school near Jud, ND. After her schooling, she worked as a housekeeper, cooked in a cookcar for threshers, clerked in Sperling's Grocery Store, and was a telephone operator in LaMoure. She later moved back to the Jud, ND area and worked on the Harry Brown farm. It was there that she met Harold Gilbert, who also worked on this farm. Esther and Harold were married October 25, 1928 at LaMoure, ND. They moved to Crosby, MN where Harold worked in the iron mines. In 1931, they returned to Jud where Esther worked as an independent seamstress, often making outfits and dresses without a pattern. She also worked as a cook at the Jud School with her sister, Loreyn Hartley for several years. Harold died on April 3, 1999. In 2002, Esther moved to the Ashley Medical Center Nursing Home, Ashley, ND.
Esther was a member of the Jud United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Lois (Eugene) Larsen, Port Angeles, WA; a son, Bob (Sue) Gilbert, Ashley, ND; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Loreyn Hartley, Jud, ND.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 sister and 1 brother.
Funeral Service - 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at Jud United Methodist Church with Reverend Rodney Ulmer and Reverend Kristi Beebe (Esther's granddaughter) officiating.
Visitation - Noon to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND and 1 hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Interment - Jud Lutheran Cemetery, Jud, ND