Esther Anderberg of Helena passed away of natural causes at the age of 89 on March 7, 2006.

Esther was born on Nov. 1, 1916, in Helena, to Ernest and Theresa (Stefonski) Chriske.

She married Bror "Vern" Vernor Anderberg of Malmo, Sweden, in 1939. They moved to Columbia Falls and lived in a cabin on the Flathead River below the Veterans Home where he worked. In 1943, Vern was killed in an accident at the Portland shipyards.

After Vern's death Esther moved her family to Bremerton to live with her sister, Olga. Following World War II, the family moved to the Raleigh St. Chriske family home where, with the help of her brothers and sisters, she raised her two children.

Esther was extremely proud of her sister, Louise, and brothers, Clarence, Walter, Arthur and Heinz Chriskes' service in the military during World War II. Her sister Olga was a welder at the Bremerton Shipyards.

Esther's hobbies included gardening, especially flowers, jigsaw puzzles, water conservation ("don't waste it") and playing the accordion until some "kid" broke it.

Prior to her marriage she worked for Percy Gaw Insurance and then the Hart Insurance Company.

She retired from the Federal Government Treasury Department.

Esther had a special way about her and it showed in her attitude towards the people of Helena. She would often say, "There are a lot of nice people in Helena. I don't know all their names, but they are really nice."

Esther is survived by her daughter, Alice Anderberg of Helena; son and daughter in-law, Clarence and Noreeta Anderberg of Columbia Falls; brothers, Clarence Chriske of Helena, and Heinz Chriske of East Helena; sister and brother in-law, Louise and John Miller of Helena; grandchildren, Mark and Sharon Anderberg of Chicago, Carl and Andree Anderberg of Helena, and Paul Anderberg of Conrad; great-grandchildren, Karri and Katlyn Anderberg of Chicago, and Emma Anderberg of Helena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Esther in death are her parents; brothers, Walter, Ernest and Arthur Chriske; and sister, Olga Tursich.

Services for Esther will be held 1 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Hagler Anderson Funeral Home. Interment services will follow at Forestvale Cemetery.

Memorials in Esther's memory and honor can be sent to the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), 501 N Park Ave., Helena, MT 59601 or Hospice of St. Peters, 2475 Broadway, Helena MT 59601.