Esther D. Carlson joined her Lord and Savior on Monday August 24, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the age of 101. She was born to Carl Fritiof Anderson and Albertina "Edlund" Anderson immigrants from Sweden on February 26, 1908 in Prophetstown, Illinois. Esther attended Prophetstown High School and went on to Moline Lutheran Hospital where she received her nurses training. Esther married Carl O. Carlson on April 14, 1935 and four children were born to this union. After moving to Springfield, Missouri in 1947, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Drury College in 1961. Esther combined the roles of devoted wife and mother with a career in Nursing and Nursing Education. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Cecile Elizabeth, son John Phillip Carlson, and her husband. Survivors include Paul Nathan Carlson and wife Saundra and Carl Daniel Carlson and wife Beverly. She is also survived by grandchildren, Elizabeth A. Ghanem and husband Elie, Heidi L. Hartman and husband John, Keith W. Carlson, Eric A. Carlson and wife Brandy and nine great grandchildren. Friends and family will celebrate Esther's life during a service at Messiah Lutheran Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2009. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral home. Internment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church memorial funds.