Vannie Espeseth

Vannie Espeseth, age 82, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Friday (May 7th) at the Anoka Care Center in Anoka, MN. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (May 15th) at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Vannie was born November 11, 1927 in Erskine, Minnesota to parents Maynard and Emma (Strom) Howe. She grew up in Erskine and graduated with the high school class of 1945.On June 5, 1946 she was united in marriage to Joe Espeseth of Roseau, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Erskine where they resided for 62 years. Early in her marriage she worked as a waitress at several local restaurants. She was later employed, for many years, as a noon playground supervisor at the Erskine Elementary School where she enjoyed being with the students and developing many special relationships. For several years she wrote a weekly column entitled "Vannie's Viewpoints" for the Erskine Echo and McIntosh Times.Vannie will be fondly remembered for her quick wit and humor, love of reading and crossword puzzles, delicious cooking and baking (She could make leftovers taste like a gourmet meal and she DID have the best buns in town!), and for always having a huge bowl of popcorn kept warm on the stove and a fresh pot of coffee. She loved to shop, especially for groceries-she never wanted an empty space in her cupboard. She enjoyed her acting days in community plays and being the "bag lady" at local events. Most of all she loved her family and showing her love for them.Vannie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine where she was baptized and confirmed.On Friday, May 7, 2010 Vannie Espeseth passed away at Anoka Care Center in Anoka, Minnesota at the age of 82 years, 5 months, and 26 days. She had been a resident there since December of 2008.She is survived by her children, Sandy (Al) Kauppi of Circle Pines, MN, Dave (Kang) Espeseth of Crestview, FL, Diane Espeseth of Circle Pines, MN, Jim (Deb) Espeseth of Bagley, MN, and Shari (Lee) Jarka of Coon Rapids, MN; grandchildren, Terri, Mike (Angelica), Brandy (Ben), Jeremy, Jamie, and Shayley; great grandchildren, Brady, Tiffany, Oliver, and Addler; sister, Dolores Santelli of Encinitas, CA; brother, Ron (Renee) Howe of Erskine, MN; and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, JoAnne McWilliam; and former son-in-law, Jan McWilliam.