Owen Arthur "Art" Esterby, 83, Minot died on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 in a Minot nursing home surrounded by his loving family.

Owen Arthur Esterby was born on July 25, 1925 in Minot, ND to Amandus and Oline (Jacobson) Esterby. He was raised in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1943. Art enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 16, 1943 and served in Okinawa, the Phillippine and Admiral Islands prior to his honorable discharge on May 2, 1946. Art returned to Minot and was united in marriage to Donna Lou Freeh on May 17, 1947 in Sidney, Montana.

They made their home in Minot where he was employed by the Great Northern Railroad, later known as the Burlington Northern Railroad, for forty-five years. In addition he served in the National Guard from 1958-1978 with two of those years spent at Fort Riley, Kansas (1961-1962). He retired from the railroad as Yardmaster in 1988. In addition, Art and Donna and their family enjoyed many wonderful summer days at their Lake Metigoshe residence.

Art was a current or former member of the First Presbyterian Church, VFW, American Legion, Elks, Moose Lodge, Beaver Boosters and Minot Indoor Tennis Club. Also, he was a member of the Prairie Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. His hobbies and special interests included walking, fishing, golfing, skiing, hunting, tennis, and attending his grandchildren's and great grandchildren's activities. He was an avid ski jumper and cross country skier during his younger years.

Art's loving family includes: his wife of 61 years Donna; children: Kip (Wanda) Esterby of Federal Way, WA, Barbara (Ken) Boyeff of Minot, and Kirk (ReNae) Esterby of Benton, TX ; grandchildren: Tasha (Danny) Hanson, Brekka (Jesse) Kramer, Alex Boyeff, Kyle Boyeff, Alexandria (Eric) Karvala, Wayne (Leslie) Finneseth, Barb (Randy) Ivers, Madison, Callie and Max Esterby; great grandchildren: Olivia and Owen Hanson, Haley and Emma Kramer, Reese and Vaughn Karvala, Tyler and Trevor Finneseth, Jesse and Rayme Ivers; siblings: Robert (Mary Lou) Esterby of Minot, Carol Clemetson of Saratoga, WY, Gloria (Richard) Rakness of Saratoga, WY, Kathy (Lyle) Schei of Avon, MN and Gail Neukom of Jamestown, ND and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Art was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter: Debbie Finneseth.

Funeral Service: Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church - Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.

Visitation: Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.

Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church.