Esther Mae Gould Enget Crowder, 87

Esther Mae Gould Enget Crowder, 87, passed away Feb. 23, 2018, in Bismarck, North Dakota.

She was born on July 29, 1930, in Bassett, Nebraska, to Edwin and Gladys Gould. Esther was one of six children. The family moved to Montana in the 1930s.

Esther graduated from high school in Ronan in 1949 and then attended Lakewood Park Bible College in Devils Lake, North Dakota, from 1949 to 1951. It was there she met her beloved husband, Ernest Enget of Powers Lake, North Dakota. They married June 29, 1951, and, after graduating from Bible College, began their ministry in a new pastoral work in Barton, North Dakota.

They had four children, Janice McEachran (Jim) of Mandan, North Dakota, Ronald Enget (Julie) also of Mandan, Brent Enget (Lori) of Ellendale, North Dakota, and Limerick, Ireland, and Leroy Enget (deceased). Esther and Ernest raised their children while pastoring in Barton, North Dakota, Sunburst, Montana, Stevens-ville, Scobey, Malta, Chester, Ronan and Plenty-wood.

Esther was an excellent pastor’s wife and shared preaching responsibilities with Ernie. They were a team, building relationships with those in their church together. She loved to cook, and was often seen cooking at many of the camps held at Glacier Bible Camp at Hungry Horse. She and Ernie thoroughly enjoyed their ministry over the years and were often referred to as “My Favorite Pastors.”

After 50 years of marriage, Ernie passed away on June 19, 2001.

Esther later married Daniel Crowder on March 6, 2004. They made their home in Yuma, Arizona. In May of 2017, they relocated to Mandan so they could be close to family. Esther loved being surrounded by her children, and was blessed with nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Esther was also preceded in death by her son, Ernest LeRoy, two brothers, Aubrey (Pat) Gould and Paul (Cathy) Gould, and one sister, Naomi (Andy) Robinson.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel Crowder, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and by two brothers, Don (Lorene) Gould and Bob (Delores) Gould.

A memorial service was held on Monday, Feb. 26, at Bethel Assembly in Mandan. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 2, at Whitefish Assembly of God. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

The family requests that all memorial gifts be directed to Glacier Bible Camp. Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.