Monna Esser, 66, of Redfield, SD died Friday, July 06, 2007 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield, following a courageous battle against cancer. Her funeral will be Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Redfield. Reverend L. Scott Spiehs will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Monday from 1-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Monna Jeneva Iverson was born August 30th, 1940 in Redfield to Silas and Arlene Iverson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Reedemer Lutheran Church in Doland and graduated from Doland High School in 1958.

Monna married Charles Esser on September 29th, 1963. Monna was a very active and caring person. They farmed near Redfield until 1996, when they moved to Redfield. She worked as a teacher's aide at Redfield School, at James Valley Nursing Home as a cook, and later cleaned houses in the Redfield area. In May of 1993, she suffered a stroke and worked hard to make a complete recovery. Monna was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and active in the alter guild and LWML. Since moving to town, Monna gave much of her time as a Grey Lady at James Valley Nursing Home and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Center. She read the Bible daily and enjoyed spending time with Charlie and their dog Lady at the "River", and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed having coffee on Main Street with all of her friends.

Grateful to have shared in her life are her husband Charles of Redfield, three sons: Steve (Lisa) of Custer, SD, Dan (Tara) of Redfield, SD and John of Brandon, SD; one daughter: Mary (Joe) Krizan of Humboldt, SD; eleven grandchildren: Lorissa, Brad, Morgan, Emily, Nicholas, Matthew, Macy, Eric, Lauren, Austin and Ellie; one sister: Ada Rae Harford of Redfield, SD and numerous special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Betty, one brother, Daryl, one infant son and one infant granddaughter.