Esther Heistad

Esther Heistad.

July 6, 1918 – June 28, 2019

Esther Heistad went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Friday, June 28, 2019 at the age of 100 years, just a few days short of 101 years.

She was born on July 6, 1918 in Ross, North Dakota, U.S.A to Norwegian immigrant parents, Tom and Ellen (Thulien) Christianson. She was only a few months old when they moved from Minot, North Dakota in 1918 to Veteran, Alberta, Canada.

Esther married Philip Heistad on December 23, 1938. They farmed in the Veteran area until 1955 when they purchased a general store. Esther was an active member of the Veteran Full Gospel church and Veteran Camp. In 1970, they moved to Calgary, Alberta where they managed an apartment complex until they bought a house in Lakeview.

Esther lost her mother when she was 10 years old and had to learn quickly how to bake, sew, do laundry, cook, garden and keep a house. She was a wonderful homemaker. Esther’s family and friends loved her cooking, baking and hospitality. She loved music and played the piano, accordion, guitar, violin and we enjoyed singing around the piano at home. Esther and Philip were very happy together and enjoyed 74 years of marriage.

Esther is survived by her children, Deanna (Allan) Graham and Tom (Rosemarie) Heistad; eight grandchildren, Jeanette (Drew) Godsman, Tim (Diana) Graham, Sheila Scarlett, Angela Heistad (Jim), Scott (Lauren) Heistad, Michael Bidzinski, Jackie (Darius) Wilson, Kurt (Naomi) Buchanan; fifteen great grandchildren, Janelle, Tyler (Chelsea), Carter, Rachel, Katrina, Christopher, Dawson, Makenna, Ella, Cole, Grace, Lily, Archer, Langley, Atlas; as well as two great great grandchildren, Emmett and Brayden. Esther was predeceased by her loving husband Philip Heistad in 2012, daughter Darlene (Allan) Buchanan in 2014; and siblings, Joe (Katie) Christianson, Deborah (Henry) Heistad, Christine (Benny) Heistad and Ted (Gert) Christianson. Esther will lovingly be remembered and missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. We are so blessed to have had such a wonderful heritage raised with parents who lived and taught us honesty, integrity, kindness, generosity, happiness, faithfulness, forgiveness, security, love of God and what is right.

The Funeral service and Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W. Calgary, Alberta. Esther will be interred at Veteran Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made directly to a charity of one’s choice.