Esther Lykken was born April 5, 1920 in Union County, South Dakota to Mons and Agnes (Vetos) Lakness. She entered into death December 20, 2015 at Bethesda of Beresford at the age of 95 years, eight months and 15 days.

She was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. On June 17, 1942 she married Isaac "Ike" O. Lykken at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. They raised their children on the Lykken family farm southwest of Alcester where she lived for 73 years. Esther had a servant heart; she was always eager to share an open spot at the dinner table. She was an excellent cook, liked to garden and raise flowers. Her family was the center of her life and she will be greatly missed by those closest to her.

Living on a Homestead Farm, Ike and Esther graciously hosted and loving welcomed countless visits from relatives who came from Norway and to this day continuing with correspondence and phone calls. They traveled to Norway in 1975 & stayed in the home of Esther's father with Lakness relatives outside of Bergen, Norway. They also spent time with family on the Lykken farms in the Byneset area near Trondheim, Norway. They owned a motor home which they enjoyed, especially touring states in the Midwest and making new travel friends.

After the loss of "Ike", Esther spent time crocheting caps for the needy used as Christmas tree decorations at the Alcester State Bank at Christmas time which are donated. She also made and gifted over 300 children's quilts & blankets to the Linus program. She had a real talent for sewing, crocheting and quilting and will be remembered for her love of her feline friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Merle; and three grandchildren, Johanna Lykken, Corrie Lykken and Tami Kratochvil-Mielke.

Esther is survived by her sons, Kerwyn (Rachel) of Alcester, David of Sioux Falls and Mike Dalton of Sioux Falls; daughters, Karen (Gary) Kratochvil of Sioux Falls, Barbara (Dennis) Dahlin of Hawarden, Diane (Bill) Bruns of Madison and Nancy (Steve) Bell of Vermillion; daughter-in-law, Marie Lykken of Alcester; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and her sister, Beverly Zweifel of Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be 2PM Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Set Free Church in Beresford with burial to follow at Roseni Cemetery. Visitation is 2-8PM Tuesday at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with the family present from 5-7PM and a prayer service at 7PM. The family requests memorials to Feeding South Dakota or to KNWC Radio.