Esther McCray, 85, Coleharbor, ND, died Wednesday, January 25, 2012, in a Bismarck Hospital.

Esther was born on September 23, 1926, in Coleharbor, ND, the daughter of Emery A. and Edna (Prouty) Zuck. She was reared and educated in Coleharbor, ND, and graduated from Coleharbor High School in 1944. In 1948, she married Carl McCray, Sr. in Coleharbor, ND. She worked for the Highway 83 Café, in Coleharbor for over 50 years and later worked for the North Dakota Highway Department as a flagger. In her later years she worked with a senior citizens group at the Underwood School in the kitchen and as a janitor. Esther and her husband Carl, were caretakers of the Coleharbor Cemetery for many years. Her husband, Carl died in 1996. She continued to live in Coleharbor until moving to assisted living at Edgewood Vista in Minot for two years until moving to Basic Care at Edgewood Village in Bismarck, ND where she resided until she passed away.

Esther was a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, in Coleharbor until the church closed and then became a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Riverdale, ND. When she was at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, she was a member of the church council. She was an avid bowler, bowling in league and tournaments for over 45 years, winning many trophies. She also played softball in league and tournaments even in her 60's. Her favorite pastime was rollerskating with her husband, which is how they met.

Survivors: children, Barbara (Allan) Cunningham, Carmen, Oklahoma, Linda (Alroy) Schoenberg, Minot, Alvin McCray, Valley City, ND, Carl E. (Patty) McCray, Jr., Blue Springs, MO, grandchildren, Troy (Jennifer) Cunningham, Tommy, and fiancee Pam, Cunningham, Trenton (Becci) Cunningham and Todd Cunningham; Christopher (Heidi) Anderson, Dawn (Jim) Hager, Jason (Kristi) Schoenberg; Sgt. Sabrina (Warrant Officer William) Kelley Jr., Joshua McCray; Jennifer (Shawn) Weigel, Jessica (Joe) Hunt, Leah McCray, Evan (Trista) McCray; brothers and sisters Anna (Eddy) Duben, Coleharbor, ND, Julie (Paul) Hedden, Matawan, NJ, Paul "Shorty" (Phyllis) Zuck, Marion, ND. 31 great grandchildren; Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl, mother and father, granddaughters, Esther Jean McCray and Mae Marie Johnson; daughter-in-law, Joyce McCray, numerous brothers and sisters.

Funeral: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Riverdale, ND, on Monday, January 30, 2012, at 10:30 a.m.

Burial: Coleharbor Cemetery, Coleharbor, ND

Visitation: noon until 7 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison, ND on Sunday, January 29, 2011.