Esther Johanna (Lanto) Tufvesson

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Tufvesson, Esther Johanna (Lanto) Born on August 17, 1921 to her father John Peter Lanto and Aili Sophia (Pahnala, Olilla) Lanto in Hibbing, MN. Aili immigrated from Simu, Finland and John Lanto was originally from Calumet, MI. Esther grew up in Nashwauk, MN, where John and Aili operated a 50 room hotel and John was the postmaster; the post office was in the hotel. Esther graduated from Nashwauk High School in 1938, attended Hibbing Junior College, then graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Physical Education degree. She also studied American history. She taught physical education to fifth graders in the early 1940's at Sidney Pratt School in Prospect Park in Minneapolis. Esther joined the US Army in 1950, expanded her education and medical training, and became one of the Army's early physical therapists. Captain Esther Tufvesson was assigned to Japan from 1950-1953 during the Korean War and treated soldiers with war injuries. After the war, she started a physical therapy department in Grand Rapids, MN, and assisted in the establishment of a physical therapy department in Hibbing, MN. She married Silas "Si" Tufvesson, a Ford dealer, in 1958 and moved to Jackson, MN. Esther and Si had two children, Sara and Jon. Esther started a physical therapy department at the Jackson Municipal Hospital in 1962 and retired in 1983; she also performed some contract work for medical facilities in Trimont and Heron Lake. Si and Esther were active members at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Jackson, MN, participated in the American Legion/Legion Auxiliary, and other community organizations and charities. Esther moved to her apartment at the Heritage at Lyngblomsten in St. Paul, MN in 2012. Here she enjoyed her new friends, Bible study, round table discussions to honor veterans, Sunday dinners, and the kindness of the staff very much. She also enjoyed outings with her daughter Sara, niece Ginny Sathe, and her son Jon and his children Zach & Natalie. Esther remained committed to health and nutrition, and to organizations concerned about fiscal responsibility and the accruing governmental debt burden on future generations. Esther was preceded in death by her brothers, Rudy Lanto and Reino Lanto, and sister, Ruth (Lanto) Sathe. She is survived by her daughter, Sara; son, Jon; grandchildren, Zachary and Natalie Tufvesson; sister-in-law, Enid Lanto; and numerous nieces and nephews. Service Friday, Nov. 21 at Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1440 Midway Parkway, St. Paul, MN. 55108. 1 pm Visitation, 2 pm Funeral service, 3 pm Coffee & cake at the Heritage dining room. A second service will be held in Jackson, MN 56143, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church on Brown St. on Monday, Nov. 24, 10 am visitation, 11 am service.

Published on November 20, 2014