Esther C. Bring

   Esther Camille Bring (Olson, Jondahl), 92, died of natural causes on Oct 30, 2021, at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville.

   Esther was born Sep 12, 1929 in Mayville, ND. She was raised on her parent’s farm near Blanchard, ND where she loved to play with her cousin Howard amongst the cattle, horses and pasture. Her best friends throughout her life were her sisters and her brother. She was baptized and confirmed at Norman Lutheran Church and the community of the church, music and singing always provided her center. On Nov 23, 1956, she married Harold A. Bring of Galesburg where they bought a farm, raised 4 children and established their home until he passed on Nov 28, 1979. Shortly before his death they had completed a multi-year project of love restoring an old farm house. She remained in that house, nested in the community she loved, for another 35 years.

   Esther attended a one-room schoolhouse and went on to Mayville State Teachers College where she received her Teaching degree. For a short period, she taught English in Hannaford and Lisbon. In the 80’s, she was the housemother for FarmHouse Fraternity at North Dakota State University and took occasional classes in horticultural and religion. Many a young man found a friendly ear to discuss activities, concerns and the stress of college life. Those friendships continued to be strong for the rest of her days.

   Esther found love a second time and married Gilmore Jondahl on Oct 14, 1995 and they enjoyed tremendous joy until his passing on Oct 30, 1997.

   Esther was a warm advocate of fellowship with friends and family. Her welcome door was open and the coffee pot was always on. She was intrigued with the social issues of the day, particular the Democrat political perspective. She became an avid quilter with dozens of masterpieces given away to bridal couples, new babies, family and good friends. Fabric was her medium of warm and comforting art enriched with the fellowship and bond of the Sister’s Choice Quilt Club. A visit at her house would always include fresh bread, consulting on the latest wall-hanging or quilt and a hot cup of coffee.

   As a mom, Esther taught us to love God, love each other, family is to be treasured, a love for reading, that contrasting color enhances our world, whether in fabric, food or people, gardens are to be cherished, to love art and music and most of all to love others.

   Preceding her in death was her husband, Harold Bring of Galesburg, her 2^nd husband, Gilmore Jondahl of Galesburg, her parents, Olga and Elvin Olson of Blanchard, and her sister, Ruth Simmons of Virginia, MN and a baby brother, Donald.

   Esther is survived by her children, Christine Grund (Robert) in Boise ID, Karl Bring (Susan) in Ft. Collins CO, Peter Bring in Wildwood MO, and Amy Hovde (Curtiss) in Portland. She is survived by her 11 grandchildren, Marissa, Camille and Alayna Grund, Arden and Katie Bring, Joshua (Haley), Lucas and Kylie Bring, and Scott Hovde (Meghan), Jeff Hovde (Sarah) and Isaac Hovde; her six great-grandchildren of Adair and Cohen (of Scott and Meghan Hovde), Abigail, Hannah and Emma (of Jeff and Sarah Hovde), Elijah (of Joshua and Haley Bring); her brother, J. Donovan Olson (Barbara) in Moorhead MN; her sister, Elizabeth Protextor (Jerry) in Fargo ND; and her sister-in-law, Evelyn McCurdy in Denver CO and numerous nieces and nephews, whom she adored.

Funeral Service will be 2:00pm, Saturday, Nov 6^th, at Elm River Lutheran Church of Galesburg, ND. Visitationwillbeone hour priorto the servicein the church. Interment will be at Elm River Cemetery in Galesburg. The Rev. Peter Schiefelbein will officiate.

   The family respectfully requests that all attendees wear facemasks.