Esther Flora Morse, daughter of Max E. Morse and Mary (Condon) Morse, was born 3 March 1919 in Cassopolis, Cass County, Michigan. Esther majored in Latin and French during her college years, attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. On 13 June 1943, in Cassopolis, Esther married Dalton Edward McFarland.
Dalton, born 23 September 1919 in Nebraska, joined the US Navy 13 February 1942 and saw action in the South Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged from the Navy 4 January 1946 but moved into the Naval Reserves where he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Dalton and Esther moved into the East Lansing, Michigan area where Dalton, for 20 years, was Professor in the Management Department at Michigan State University's School of Business. He was Chairman of that Department 9 years and also served as Associate Dean.
Esther was a fine cook having learned from her mother, also an excellent cook, on a farmhouse wood stove. Her Chicken Rice casserole recipe was published in a State Journal article Sunday 28 February 1960. Esther only taught Latin for a short season at OHS. She died of cancer 16 June 1970 in East Lansing.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 17 June 1970
ESTHER F. MCFARLAND
Mrs. Esther F. McFarland, 51, of 1233 Cedarhill Drive, East Lansing, died today in her residence.
A resident of East Lansing for 18 years, she was former Latin teacher at Okemos High School. She was a member of the Edgewood United Church and former program director at the church. She was a member of the NAACP, a member of the League of Women Voters, and Michigan Classical Association.
Surviving are her husband, Dalton E.; three sons, Ross at home, James of East Lansing and Thomas of Colon; two grandchildren; her mother, Mrs. Max Morse of Cassopolis; two sisters, Mrs. Joan Kniepple of Cassopolis, and Mrs. Marge Smith of Scotts and a brother, William Morse of Cassopolis.
arrangements will be announced by the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel, East Lansing. Contributions may be made to the Ingham County Cancer Society or the Edgewood United Church.
After Esther's death Dalton remarried. He was vacationing in Orange Beach, Alabama when he died 6 February 1991. Dalton was interred Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven, Ottawa County, Michigan.