Esther Gange, 86, of Drake, passed away Friday, June 21, 2013 at her home Drake. Her funeral was held Tuesday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Drake with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation was held Monday from 4 pm to 5:30 pm at the Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home in Drake. A prayer service was held Monday evening at 7 pm at the church.

Esther Heer, daughter of Julius and Christine (Bentz) Heer, was born September 16, 1926 at McClusky where she was raised and educated.

On May 17, 1944 she was married to Adam Gange at Orrin. They made their home in Drake where they raised their five children.

Esther was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Adam; 1 daughter, Judy (Ron) Pedersen of Fargp; 4 sons, John (Charlene) Gange of Wahpeton, Ralph Gange of Drake, Julius (Connie) Gange of Jamestown and Jeffrey (Nancy) Gange of Bismarck; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Reuben and Roland; a granddaughter, Melissa Gange; three brothers, Reuben, Fritz and Ted; and four sisters, Bertha, Glendora, Lorraine and Darlene.