Ester Wiker Fletcher

Ester Fletcher was born July 2, 1937, to Arne and Inge Wiker, on her family’s farm in northern Norway near Narvik. In this picturesque setting of dramatic mountains surrounded by deep fjords, the family grew potatoes and raised sheep, and Arne served as the local weatherman. When Ester was only two years old, Norway entered World War II. German forces invaded Narvik, in a campaign to control its strategic port—an export point for iron ore, a critical wartime resource. Troops occupied Narvik and the surrounding areas, including the family farm. Ester and her family fled to her grandmother’s house, where they lived until the war ended. Ester often told of life under Nazi occupation, and while her stories were riveting, early childhood memories of the war haunted her for life.

Ester grew up with a desire for adventure and travel. She graduated from secondary school and had been teaching for a year already when, at age 19, she came by herself to the US to attend college. She stayed with family in Porterville, attending Porterville College, and later, Fresno State College. The beautiful young Norwegian was well received in Fresno, as evidenced by clippings of newspaper articles and campus newsletters featuring photographs of her, preserved in Ester’s photo album since the 1950’s.

At Fresno State, Ester met Norman Fletcher, and they were married in 1960. Norman would say, “I married the most beautiful woman at Fresno State!” They both began teaching, and Norman later became an attorney, graduating from Hastings in 1967. They welcomed two daughters, Katharine and Kimberlee.

Ester was an elegant and talented hostess, and she and Norman enjoyed frequent entertaining in their home. Ester was known for her gourmet cooking, as well as her expert sewing and knitting skills. She was a member of AAUW; VASA Order of America; Sons of Norway; Fig Garden Woman’s Club, serving as president in 2002; Kratt PTA; Malloch PTA; Figarden PTA, serving as president with Norman; and Fresno Opera Society.

Ester and Norman traveled extensively with their daughters, visiting Ester’s family in Norway many times, as well as other countries in Europe. British Columbia was also a favorite destination, and Ester and Norman attended the Rotary International Convention in Australia and New Zealand when Norman was president of the Fig Garden Rotary Club. As a devoted grandmother, Ester shared her love of travel with her grandchildren, taking them to Europe several times, sometimes on her own.

Ester is survived by her brother, Gunnar Wiker and his wife, Inger, of Narvik, Norway; daughters Kay Rosen (Michael), and Kim Novi (Bruno); grandchildren, Jeff Rosen (Lyndsay), Lisa Rosen, Greg Rosen, Kyle Knutsen, and Kathleen Knutsen; and great grandchildren, Greer, Chase, and Shiloh Rosen. She was preceded in death by two brothers who died in childhood; and by her husband of 65 years, Norman. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cedarbrook Memory Care for their loving care of Ester in her later months. A private memorial service will be held in Los Angeles.