Esther Louise Dant

Esther Louise Dant (née Faas), age 84, of Arden Hills, MN, passed away January 4, 2025 from leukemia-related heart failure. Preceded in death by parents Floyd and Irene, and six siblings: Phyllis, Robert, Marilyn, Dick, Donald, and Ruth Ann. Also preceded in death by former husband, Roland Dant. She is survived by three children, Michael Dant (David Thomas), Janet Graham (Christopher Graham), and Jack Dant, as well as two grandchildren, Monica Graham and Paulina Graham. Esther was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, and passionate about encouraging faith development in people of all ages. She served as Directors of Youth Ministry, Stephen Ministry, and Pastoral Care at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View, MN. Responding to a call toward deeper ministry, she obtained her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and served as Pastor of Congregational Care at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Maplewood, MN. Following retirement, she joined her son Jack in membership at University Lutheran Church of Hope where she also served as Visitation Pastor for five years. As Executive Consultant to Stephen Ministries, she traveled to many locations across the US to train congregations. Additionally, she developed and traveled nationwide to train on a new Stephen Ministry program designed specifically for youth. Esther was an Adjunct Instructor at Luther Seminary, teaching courses in Stephen Ministry and Pastoral Care. Esther enjoyed growing up in the rolling hills of southeastern Iowa on the family farm near Millersburg. She shared many happy memories of bike riding, playing at the river, and the many adventures with her six older siblings. Her record of most points scored in a high school basketball game held for many years, only to be topped by her niece! She continued to enjoy shooting hoops throughout her entire, active life. A lifelong artist, Esther was an art major at ISU, had two solo painting shows, and taught oil painting classes in her basement in the 1970s and '80s. She later re-engaged with painting through classes with Joe Paquet. Esther and her children loved sharing their art together in a yearly show, Dant Werks, at Boréal in St. Paul, MN. She found great joy in rich, life-long friendships, gardening, travel (especially Paris), time with family, reading, and spending time with her closeknit neighborhood. A loving mother, friend, and pastor, she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service on Friday, January 17th, 2025. Visitation at 10:00am, service at 11:00am, with lunch following. All events will take place at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. A family burial will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts; P.E.O. Sisterhood; Luther Seminary; University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis, MN; or the donor's favorite charity.

Tributes

Esther Louise Dant

May 23, 1940 - January 4, 2025

Tributes

Esther Louise Dant

May 23, 1940 - January 4, 2025

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