Funeral services for Esther Marie Falksen of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. today at the St. John’s Lutheran Home Chapel. The Rev. Bruce Falksen will officiate. Visitation will be hold one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Mrs. Falksen died Thursday, March 6, 2003 at St. John’s Lutheran Home where she had been a resident for many years. She was 88 years of age.

Esther was born July 16, 1914 in Albert Lea, the daughter of Chris and Johanne (Bach) Bonnerup. She lived in Pennsylvania for some time before returning to Albert Lea in 1928. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1933.

Esther was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in the Church Women, the Sudan Circle and taught Sunday school. In her free time, Esther enjoyed quilting and making afghans.

Esther is survived by her children James A. and his wife Taylor of San Diego, Calif., Dale A. and his wife Donna of Kansas City, Mo., Granddaughters Debra K. and her husband John French of Kansas City, Mo., and their daughter Carissa, and Kristin M, Falksen of Kansas City, Mo. Sisters Florence Brzcenski of Albert Lea, Ruby Bomgardner of Aurora, Colo., Lois Gayken and her husband Kenneth of Glenville, Mrs. Doris Broitzman and her husband Harold of Northwood, brother Norman Bonnerup and his wife Maxine of Albert Lea, sister-in-law Velma Bonnerup of Albert Lea, brother-in-law Bernard Falksen and his wife Ruth of Ellendale. Also many nieces and nephews survive.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer, brothers Charles, Donald and Richard Bonnerup and one sister in infancy.