Esther Lucille Haakenson, 92, passed away on March 12, 2013, at Main Street Assisted Living residence in Homer. A memorial service is 2 p.m. April 13, 2013, at Chapman School in Anchor Point.

Esther was born July 1, 1920, in International Falls, Minn. She was the third of five children born to Fred and Laura Larson.

When she was almost 15, Esther and her family moved to Palmer as part of the Matanuska Colonization Program. She graduated from Palmer High School and worked at a variety of jobs including waitress, nanny, postal employee, and beaver trapper. She married Lionel Haakenson in 1943 and settled in Anchorage, where their seven children were born.

In 1955, the family moved to a homestead in Anchor Point, where Esther lived until 2012, when poor health necessitated a move to assisted living in Homer.

Esther loved to tell stories about her life, and leaves behind a rich legacy of family history. She enjoyed cooking delicious holiday meals for her large extended family, was a talented seamstress and even dabbled in carpentry when the occasion called for it. She was devoted to her family, and enjoyed any time spent with her grand- and great-grandchildren. She was a beloved member of the Anchor Point Church of Christ, where her faithful attendance and sweet spirit inspired many.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Laura Larson; sisters Alice Dahl and Gladys Dixson; brothers Leonard and Laurence Larson; her husband of 64 years, Lionel Haakenson, and son Jim Haakenson. She is survived by her sons Tim (Melody), Robert (Diana), John (Celeste’), Ken, and Ron (Lisa) Haakenson; daughter Mary (Charlie) Perry, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.