BELVA I. (ANDERSON) ESPESETH, age 82, of Edmund, died on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at Upland Hills Health. She was born February 1, 1929 in rural Highland to Gordon and Clara Anderson. Belva graduated from Highland High School. She received her teaching degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and taught in local rural schools. She was united in marriage to Marlin Espeseth on April 16, 1955, at the Otter Creek Lutheran Church. They farmed in the area for many years and later Belva worked at Bloomfield Manor until she retired. Marlin preceded her in death on March 21, 2000. Belva was a lifelong member of Otter Creek Lutheran Church and a member of the ELCA women’s group. She was a past member of the Bloomfield Auxiliary. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, but her greatest joy was her family. Belva is survived by her eight children: Karl of Edmund; Ruth Espeseth of Edmund; Maria (Jack) Leary of Barneveld; Rebecca (Roy) McConnell of Abilene, Kansas; Nels of Chapman, Kansas; Nancy (Michael) Ernzen of South Wayne; Paul (Stephanie) of Galena, Illinois and Linda (David) Watson of Cobb; 11 grandchildren, Nicholas, Patrick and Savannah Ernzen, Joshua Hettenbach and Justin (Megan) Espeseth, Isaac and Kelly Leary, Christopher McConnell, Brandon and Taylor Espeseth, Kaleb Watson. She is further survived by sisters-in-law Dorothy Anderson and Irene Sheppard and brothers-in-law Louie Sheppard and Jack Reese. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Vernon Anderson; her father and mother in-law Oscar and Susie Espeseth and a sister-in-law Alice Reese. Funeral services were held Dec. 17, 2011, at the Otter Creek Lutheran Church rural Highland with Pastor Roger Koester officiating. Memorials may be made to the Otter Creek Lutheran Church.