Esther Portrey
courtesy photo
Esther Portrey
SPOKANE VALLEY — Esther M. (Frolander) Janke Portrey, 87, was born on July 15, 1929, to Carl and Ruth Frolander in Somers. She passed away on June 24, 2017, in Spokane Valley, Washington.
Esther attended Ronan High School and was married to Arnold Janke in 1947 until his death in 1969. She married Robert Portrey in 1992. Esther lived most of her life in Montana and Washington. After raising eight children, she worked for JC Penny. She enjoyed playing pinochle, doing jigsaw puzzles and scrapbooking. Esther was a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.
Esther is survived by her husband, Robert Portrey, 92, of Spokane Valley; her children, Jim (Nancy) Janke of Deer Park, Washington, Louise (Dave) McWhirk of Newman Lake, Washington, Dan (Terry) Janke of Kalispell, David (Patti) Janke of Spokane Valley, Washington, Linda (Mike) Graham of Spokane, Washington, Joey Janke of Wisconsin, and Teresa (Bill) Zamora of Newport, Washington; her stepson, Grey Portrey of Usk, Washington; her sister, Betty Johnsen of Ravendale, Washington; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren.
Esther’s husband, Arnold Janke, 48, (who sold Fuller Brush to many in Libby); her daughter, Nancy Janke, 2; her parents; and her brother, Dean Frolander, all precede her in death.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Ronan Cemetery, 46727 North Foothills Drive. A reception will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 35681 Terrace Lake Road E, in Ronan.
Contributions may be made in her memory to Horizon Hospice for their care and dedication: 123 W Cascade Way, Spokane, Washington, 99208.
