Esther French, 96, of Nevada, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Story County Senior Care in Nevada. Esther Verniece Apple was born on April 7, 1918, to Cecil and Cleo Apple. She grew up in the country around Fernald, Iowa. Esther married Kenneth Lee French on February 26, 1936. They lived several different places but mostly in Nevada. She moved into Senior Care of Nevada in October of 2009. Esther worked over 30 years at Donnelly Marketing in Nevada and enjoyed cross-stitching, reading and gardening. Esther is survived by her seven children, Galen (Carol) (Bibby) French of Laredo, MO; Sherril Nichols of Armstrong, IA; Betty Marshall of Spring, TX; Marla (Ron) Barnes of Grey Court, S.C.; Gary (Joyce) (Flynn) French of Colo, IA; Karen (Garland) Clapp of Ames, IA; and Lori (Gene) Hubbard of Colo, IA; 18 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 16 great-great grandchildren; and her sister, Evelyn Hand of West Des Moines, IA. Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years on September 11, 1997. She also lost her parents, Cecil and Cleo Apple; two sisters, Greta Gallahan and Margaret Fry, three brothers-in-law, Bob Gallahan, Corliss Fry and Bob Hand, three sons-in-law, Frank Morris (Betty), Joe Marshall (Betty) and Earl Nichols (Sherril); one great grandchild; and one great-great grandchild. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 2 at Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3 also at the funeral home with Pastor Lewis Flanigan officiating. Burial will follow at Murphy Cemetery in rural Nevada. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Iowa Alzheimer's Association in loving memory of Esther. Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.