Esther Hildegard Nordhougen was born on March 3rd,1935 in the middle of a dust storm to Bernt Elias and Svanhilde Berta Grina Axness on a farm near York, ND.

She attended a country school and was the sole member of her class through the 8th grade. She went on to graduate from Leeds High school in 1953.

She contracted polio at age 10 and is believed to be the first child to contract polio in North Dakota and the first recipient of Sister Kenny’s revolutionary treatment. She ultimately fully recovered with steadfast support from her parents.

After high school she attended Mayville State College and received her teaching certificate. She then taught 4th grade in Grand Forks ND for 2 years.

She married the love of her life, Curtis Arden Nordhougen, on December 27th,1957 at Leeds Lutheran Church. They lived in Grand Forks following their marriage until Curt graduated from law school. They settled in Moorhead in 1962.

Esther was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. She was a longtime member of Christ the King Lutheran church, active in choir, circle and other volunteering opportunities. She loved attending as many of her children and grandchildren's school and sporting events as she was able. Esther also loved their cabin on Maple Lake and treasured many years of bustling family time and peaceful solitude.

Her creative life included beautifully expressing herself by decorating their home with antiques and valued family heirlooms, changing decorations with each season, and highlighting the myriad of needlepoint and ceramic pieces she produced over many years.

She was a great homemaker and passed her cooking secrets on to her loving husband in the last few years of her life. Her spontaneous humor was always a delight and sometimes a shock to those that knew her best.

She spent many hours with her friends and family members playing bridge. She was a part of many bridge clubs over the years and a great player. She earned her Silver Life Master alongside her favorite partner, her husband, Curt.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Curtis; son Jefri Nordhougen; son Bradley Nordhougen (Marie); daughter Michelle Nordhougen (Mike Phillips); daughter Laura Harris (Bradley); Jefri’s children Calvin and Alison Nordhougen Melloh; Michelle’s children Cyrus, Ellis and Ar Nordhougen; and Laura’s children Signe, Elias, Ruth and Johanna Esther Harris.

Esther is also survived by her sister-in-law Sharleen Axness and 15 nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Bernt and Svanhilde; her six siblings and 5 in-laws: Caroline (Donald), Evangeline (Eli), Mildred (Lloyd), Lawrence (Arleen), Burnell (Royce) and Erling.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available here on Esther’s webpage.