Esther Mastvelten, age 96 of Bottineau, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at a Bottineau hospital. Her funeral will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be on Thursday starting at 1:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Esther Mastvelten, a daughter of Hans and Hilda (Rispa) Helgeson, was born on September 1, 1929 at Bottineau. She was raised near Bottineau and attended country school. On August 20, 1949, she married Ernest Masvelten. They made their home on a farm north of Bottineau. In addition to working side by side with Ernest on the farm, she planted trees at the Forestry Park for the Forest Service, she cooked at the student union at Dakota College and later worked in the kitchen at the Good Samaritan Center in Bottineau. In 2006, they moved into Bottineau. Ernest passed away on October 22, 2009.

Esther was a member of the Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bottineau where she was active with the XYZ group. She enjoyed gardening and crocheting. She was loving mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter, Arles (Glen) Hatlestad of Westhope; sons, Clyde, Clayton and Dean all of Bottineau; grandchildren, Cassy (Mike) Peterson, Haley (John) Stautz, James (Stephanie) Wilson, Dawn (Dan) Monahan, Jenna (Ryan) Knudson, Austin Mastvelten, Ashley (Elliot) Rognlien and Legend Mastvelten; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Maynard Helgeson and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son, David and brother, Harlan Helgeson.

Esther's family would like to the thank the staff at St. Andrew's Hospital for the loving care they gave to Esther.