Essie (Esther) Celia Wright passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a hard fought battle against a rare form of cancer.

Born in Rolette, North Dakota, Essie was the fifth of six girls. She spent her early childhood in Bisbee before her family relocated to Minot, ND. She graduated from Minot High School in 1981 and moved to Williston, ND shortly thereafter. She remained close with her sisters, especially with her sister Becky. Together, they raised their children, traveled the continent, and were each other’s closest friend.

After moving to Williston, Essie married Scott Alexander in 1985. Soon after, in 1987, they welcomed their daughter, Ashley. Though their paths would change, they remained committed to raising Ashley and sharing the important moments of her life. In 1992, she married Lorin Wright, her lifelong partner. Later that year, they welcomed their daughter, Layken, and built a life filled with family and adventure. Through her marriage to Lorin, she was also blessed with two stepdaughters, Lizz and Nikki. Essie and Lorin enjoyed traveling, camping, and spending time with family. She was even able to convince him to do some horseback riding!

Essie often said she had a good life, and she did. She was known for telling stories that were dramatic, hard to believe, and somehow always true. She had a special way of turning ordinary moments into memorable adventures.
Family was the core of Essie's world, a value she inherited from her parents and carried throughout her life. She owned and operated the Williston Dairy Queen for more than 40 years. She was very proud that her daughters are following in her footsteps. Many of her favorite memories came from Dairy Queen conventions, which she first attended with her parents and sisters, and later with her children and grandchildren.

Essie loved cooking, crafting, decorating, and taking on DIY projects. She had a gift for making a house feel like a home and was known for her sense of style.

One of Essie's lifelong dreams was to live in the country with horses, a dream she fulfilled later in life. Her home was always open. Family and friends gathered there for pool days, holiday celebrations, family dinners, and birthday parties. It was a place where memories were made and everyone felt welcome. She had a special place in her heart for horses. Her horses brought her joy, purpose, and friendships that became like family.

Travel was one of her favorite pastimes. While she enjoyed both city life and the beach, her favorite place away from North Dakota was Cave Creek, Arizona.

One of the greatest joys of Essie's life was being a grandmother. She shared a special bond with her oldest grandson, Graadin, and loved spending time with him, even if it meant watching basketball! When her two youngest grandsons, Theo and Max, joined the family, her heart grew even bigger. She adored all three of her grandsons and treasured every moment she spent with them. Being Grandma Essie was one of her greatest blessings.

Above all else, Essie was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her daughters and grandchildren were the greatest joy of her life, often saying they were the best part of her. During her final days, surrounded by those she loved, she reflected on her life and said that "this,” being together with family and friends, was all that truly mattered.

Essie leaves behind a family who adores her, friends who became family, and countless stories that will continue to be shared for years to come.

Essie was preceded in death by her parents, B.A. and Joan Hadler. She is survived by her partner, Lorin Wright; her daughters, Ashley Alexander of Williston, and her son, Graadin Barkie, and his father, Damion Barkie, Layken (Heath) Glenn of Williston, and their sons, Theo and Max; step-daughters Lizz (Scott) Miller of Troy, MO, and their daughters, Aubrey and Presley, Nikki (Jeff) Roderfeld of Wentzville, MO, and their son Will; her sisters, Linda (Patrick) Holien, Andrea (Dan) Klingbiel, and Becky (Kerry) Beechie, all of Minot, Beanie (Kent) Kaufman and Joann (Woody) Flaten, of Bismarck, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.