Esther E. Paynter, 88, formerly of Hurley, died Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Golden Living Three Oaks Nursing Home in Marshfield.      The former Esther Lake was born Dec. 11, 1923, in Iron Belt, daughter of the late Arvid and Henna (Lantta) Lake, and lived in Montreal. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Hurley and attended Duluth Business College in Duluth, Minn. She was employed in the office at the Montreal Mine, the Iron County Treasurer's office, and the Twin City Dairy in Hurley.      Esther was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood, Mich., the Zion Quilters, and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (WELCA). She was also a member of Gogebic Range Church Women United and the Auxiliary to Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580 in Hurley.      Esther enjoyed spending time with her family at Island Lake and traveling with her friends and family. They went together on many trips by plane, bus and cruise ships.      On Jan. 27, 1943, she married William J. Paynter in Bessemer, Mich. He preceded her in death on April 2, 1994.      Surviving are a daughter, Nancy (Robert) McMahon, Marshfield; three grandchildren, Wendy (Tom) Engel, Katy, Tx., Shawna (T.J.) Aho, Woodruff, and Scott (Sonni) Lauren, Montreal; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeanette Fredrickson, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.      Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Dennis and John; a daughter, Linda Kolberg; son-in-law, Robert Kolberg; two grandchildren, Matthew and Ryan Kolberg; two brothers, Roy and Laurence Lake; and two sisters, Marie Giachino and Henna Mae Lindberg.      Per Esther's wishes, cremation has taken place.      A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 31, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 100 W. Midland Ave., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Peggy Rose, pastor, officiating.      Committal will take place at the church, with luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall.      Interment will be in the Hurley Cemetery.      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church.      Esther's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.