Esther E. Metso, 82, of Kettle River, died Thursday, October 2, 2008, in Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake.  She entered this world November 26, 1925 with her twin sister, Elvie.  Esther was united in marriage to Hagen Metso on October 26, 1947 in Automba.  Esther loved spending her days watching the birds come in and out of the many bird feeders she had around her beloved farm house, listening to polka on WKLK, and caring for her prized hibiscus, roses and lilacs.  She had a wonderful knack for making anything grow and amazed everyone with her Christmas cactus that flowered year around.  She lived for Saturday morning breakfast with her dear friend, Helen (1 pancake-no butter!) and visits afterward to her many friends at Mercy Health Care Center, especially Vi.  She enjoyed her chats with cousins Violet & Helmi and loved to tell stories of walking miles to pick blueberries in her childhood years after which always came the same reply "I don't care if I ever see another blueberry again".  She made sure her cookie jar was always well stocked for the great grandkids to raid.  She loved taking pictures of everything from her flowers to the kids playing tinker toys and everything in between.  Esther was a member of the Kettle River Auxiliary Post #360.  She enjoyed lunches with Birthday Club and especially listening to Twins baseball on her trusty old radio.  She will live on forever in the hearts of those she left behind.Esther is preceded in death by her husband Hagen; her parents, Victor Freeman, Edma & John Koski; twin sister, Elvie; brother, Arnold.Esther is survived by 2 daughters, Marie (Rod) Paulson and Marsha Partin; 1 son, Jack "Rocky" (Dawn) Metso; 2 sisters, Vi Suriano and Elsie Jabas; sister-in-law, Josephine Metso; brother-in-law, Hugo Metso; 15 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; many other family members and friends.Visitation was held on Wednesday, October 8, from 12 until the 1 PM service in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake with Pastor Jan Mehlhoff officiating. Cremation followed with inurnment in West Branch Cemetery, Kalevala Township. To sign the guest book online go to: hhkfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.