Esther Mary (Olsen) Lippi, 89, St. Augustine, Fla., formerly of Luverne, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001, in St. Augustine following a stroke.
There will be a family memorial service at a later date.
Esther Olsen was born to Charl J. and Mary (Johansen) Olsen, both Norwegian immigrants, on Feb. 21, 1912, in Luverne. She spent part of her childhood in Luverne but also lived in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Sheldon, Iowa, where she graduated from high school. Her mother died when she was 9 years old, and her father married Austie May Olson several years later.
After high school she worked as an operator for Bell Telephone for five years. She also worked as chief operator for two years in Pipestone. She married Dominic Lippi on June 29, 1941. She gave up her job and settled in as a housewife and mother. She and her husband retired to Stuart, Fla., in 1981 following the closing of A.R. Wood Manufacturing Company in Luverne. For many years they traveled back and forth between Luverne and Stuart. Following her husband's death in 1997 and having a serious stroke in 1999, she lived with her half-sister in St. Augustine.
Mrs. Lippi was a lifelong member of United Methodist Church in Luverne. She also belonged to many clubs and organizations in Luverne. She and her husband traveled extensively throughout the world. She was well known locally and throughout the world for her entertaining in her home.
Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Rebeca Lippi, Zeeland, Mich., Charles and Consuelo Lippi, St. Augustine, Ronald and Elba Lippi, Wausau, Wis., and Robert and Etsuko Lippi, Seaside, Calif.; nine grandchildren, John, David A., Sara, Tony, Danny, Julia, David S., Christopher and Patrick; one great-grandson, Miles; and her half-sister, Margaret Olsen, St. Augustine.
Mrs. Lippi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and an infant half-brother.