Esther M. Tomljanovich

Esther M. Tomljanovich died at home after a brief illness on July 26, 2026 at the age of 94. She was born on November 1, 1931 in Galt, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her parents Chester W. and Thelma Moellering, brother Chester E. Moellering, sister Ruth Patras, and husband William S. Tomljanovich.

She is survived by her son William B. Tomljanovich, her daughter-in law Izabella, grandsons Anthony and Justin, sister Carol Roberts, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She grew up in Buck Lake, Minnesota and graduated from Nashwauk High School in 1949; Itasca Community College in 1951; St. Paul College of Law in 1955 and was admitted to the Bar in that same year.

She married her law school classmate William S. Tomljanovich on December 26, 1957.

She worked as an Assistant Revisor of Statutes from 1957 to 1966, and returned to lead the office as Head Revisor in 1974. She was appointed a Judge of the 10th District Court in 1977, as only the second woman judge in the state. She served as an Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1990 to 1998. She was the third woman to sit on the State Supreme Court. After her retirement, she became a member of the Board of Directors of Medica Insurance Companies from 2001 to 2021.

Visitation will be held at Bradshaw, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN on August 10, 2026 from 6 pm to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Church of the Assumption, 51 West 7th Street, St. Paul at 10 am preceded by one hour of visitation and followed by a lunch.

Memorials to Esther are preferred to be sent to the Justice Esther Tomljanovich Scholarship for Women at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105, telephone 651-695-7605.