Esther was born on July 15, 1929, to Carl and Ruth Frolander in Somers. She passed away on June 24, 2017, in Spokane Valley, Wash.
Esther attended Ronan High School and was married to Arnold Janke in 1947 until his death in 1969.
She married Robert Portrey in 1992. She lived most of her life in Montana and Washington. After raising eight children, she worked for JC Penney. She enjoyed playing pinochle, doing jigsaw puzzles, and scrapbooking.
She was a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.
Esther is survived by her husband, Robert Portrey, 92, of Spokane Valley, Wash.; children Jim (Nancy) Janke of Deer Park, Wash., Louise (Dave) McWhirk of Newman Lake, Wash., Dan (Terry) Janke of Kalispell, David (Patti) Janke of Spokane Valley, Wash., Linda (Mike) Graham of Spokane, Wash., Joey Janke of Wisconsin, and Teresa (Bill) Zamora of Newport, Wash.; stepson Greg Portrey of Usk, Wash., sister Betty Johnson of Ravendale, Wash.; 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold Janke, 48, who sold Fuller Brush to many in Libby; he daughter Nancy Janke, 2; her parents; and her brother Dean Frolander.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at the Ronan Cemetery, 46727 North Foothills Drive. A reception will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 35681 Terrace Lake Road East, Ronan.
Contributions can be made to Horizon Hospice for their care and dedication at 123 W. Cascade Way, Spokane, WA 99208.