Esther B. Odegaard, 87, of Northfield, formerly of Kenyon, died Sunday, January 16, 2011 at Northfield Care Center. She was born September 9, 1923 in Hovland Township, Cook County, Minnesota, the daughter of Knute and Ida (Swisher) Berntson. She graduated from Duluth High School and moved to Minneapolis where she worked at Honeywell. She married Thorphin Odegaard on March 2, 1946 at St. John''s Lutheran Church in Northfield. They farmed in Goodhue County most of their adult lives. Esther also worked at Carleton College as a housekeeper for the presidents'' house. Esther was a member of Vang Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies Aide. She was also involved in the Dennison Study Club and in later years the quilting group in Northfield. Esther loved to sew, especially her children''s clothing and doll clothes. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking. She is survived by her sons, Eric (and Jeanie) Odegaard of Nerstrand, Lester (and Janice) Odegaard of Afton; daughters, Ruth (and Peter) Nicolaisen of Raleigh, NC, Rita (and Bill) Rosengren of St. Paul; twelve grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brothers, Julien Berntson and Warren (and Judy) Berntson all of Duluth; sister, Gladys Berntson of Wisconsin; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Thorphin, sisters, Irene Gunderson and Vivian Bolk. Funeral services will be held in the spring with burial at Vang Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Dennison. Memorials may be made to Northfield Care Center or Northfield Hospice. Arrangements by Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon, Minnesota.