Esther M. Nelson, 97

Esther M. Nelson passed away Feb. 25, 2008. Esther was a resident of the Flathead area for 70 years.

Esther Marie Reinlasoder was born March 28, 1910, in Brown's Valley, Minn., to John and Regina Kern Reinlasoder. In 1928, she came to the Hot Springs area.

She met Roy Carey while working at Glacier Park. They were married in 1933. Roy died after six days from pneumonia. She married Paul C. Casey in 1934. They had two sons, Jerry Paul Casey and M. Scott Casey. This marriage ended in divorce in 1952.

Esther then married Heaster T. 'Bill' Nelson, living on a farm outside Whitefish. Bill died in 1962, and Esther sold the farm and moved into Kalispell, working as a restaurant cook and house cleaner until retirement in 1980.

Esther was very active in the Kalispell Senior Center from 1965 until 1998, when she moved to Otis Orchards, Wash., to live with her son. Esther was also a member of the Presbyterian Church in Kalispell. She enjoyed walking and was still walking a mile a day until she was 93!

Esther was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Paul Casey, in 1979; three husbands; her sister and brothers, and many dear friends.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Louise Casey, of Otis Orchards; four grandchildren, Mike Casey of Whidbey Island, Wash., Sandy Glenn of Spokane Valley, Wash., Brenda Drake of Mead, Wash., and Rob Casey of Spokane; three great-grandchildren, Mitchell Casey, and David and Jenny Drake; one great-great-granddaughter, Alexa; and nieces and nephews.

Internment and private graveside service will be held in April.