Avenda?o (Johnson), Esther Marie age 91, born Jan. 14, 1919 in Mpls., MN. Preceded in death by parents, husband, Donato; son, Donald; 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Survived by daughter, Lidia (John) Grabow; grandsons, Andrew (21) and Daniel (19) Grabow; sisters, Ruth and Josephine; nieces, nephews and many friends. Baptized Aug. 1, 1920 and confirmed Sept. 2, 1934 at Silver Creek Lutheran Church. Graduated from LBI in 1946 and from WMPL Mission Course in 1947. Attended Spanish language school for 9 months in Medillin, Columbia, SA. Arrived in Bolivia, SA in March of 1950 where she worked in the country villages. She returned to Mpls on furlough and worked in the mission office of WMPL. She went back to Bolivia in Jan. 1955 where she taught at the Bible School of Coaba Farm for 3 months. She was then assigned to work in the village of Chuma. This was the home town of Donato Avenda?o, who she had met at the Bible School. They developed a friendship as they shared in the work there, and were married in Chuma on Dec. 8, 1956. The two of them continued missionary work in the remote town of Aucapata where they had their two children. They returned to Mpls in 1960. Esther earned her LPN license and worked for many years at Lutheran Deaconness Hospital. In her later years she kept her interest in missionary endeavors. She held many friends and relatives in prayer and kept close with frequent letters. Funeral service Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, 11:00 AM, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 28th St. & 15th Ave. So., Mpls. Visitation Monday, 5-7 PM, Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 3640 23rd Ave. So. Interment Union Cemetery.