Esther Helena Rang was born September 1, 1929 at Mission, South Dakota to Charlie L. and Olive B. (James) Rang and she died May 22, 2017 at the Lake Andes Health Care Center in Lake Andes, South Dakota at the age of 87 years.

Esther was the second child, including two brothers and two sisters born into the Rang family.  In 1935 the family moved to a farm south of Burke, South Dakota where one more brother was born.  She attended the McCumber School and had to leave school after the third grade because she was blind in one eye.  She taught herself to read.  She made her home on the farm until her dad sold the farm and moved into Burke.  It was in Burke where she loved to work in the yard and with her flowers.  She also loved to sew, especially making dolls.  She was a nanny to her nieces and nephews, the neighbor kids and their dog Skamp.

Esther remained here until she entered the senior housing in Burke, where her sister, Edith, looked after her.  Due to declining health, she entered the Lake Andes Health Care Center where she was a resident for the past nineteen years.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Olive; and her brothers, Charles, Louis and Kenneth.  She is survived by her two sisters, Eunice Rahe of Sturgis, South Dakota and Edith Drey of Burke, South Dakota as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke.  Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke, SD.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.