Esther Brown Nelson, 97 of St. Anthony, died Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Homestead Assisted Living Center in St. Anthony. She was born March 27, 1913 at Plano, Idaho, the daughter of Henry Alonzo Brown and Lola Smith Brown. She graduated from high school in 1931, the last year Ricks College offered a high school diploma. She then earned a two year business certificate in 1933 from Ricks College. She married Howard Nelson on May 9, 1937. They lived and farmed in Plano then moved to Rexburg in 1983. He died in 1993. Esther worked for Roger Brothers Potato Company, Farmers Home Administration and for Utah Power and Light, retiring in 1978.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. She taught 4-H classes and worked in the parent-teacher associations. She enjoyed bowling, quilting, sewing crafts and working in her yard.

She is survived by her daughters; Lola Ann Luke (Willis) Blaine of Sugar City and Julieanne Coffin of Las Vegas, a sister Inez Simmons of Tarbora, North Carolina, a brother-in-law Robert Hamilton of Sacramento, California; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother William E. Brown, sister Faye Hamilton and sons-in-law Richard Luke and Lyle Coffin.

The family expresses their appreciation to the caregivers and staff at Ashton Living Center, Spring Creek Manor, and Homestead Assisted Living for the loving care given to Esther for the past eight years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010 at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m prior to services, both at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Parker Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the LDS Perpetual Education or Humanitarian Funds.