Erna Catherine Esser
June 18, 1925 - July 30, 2016
Obituary
MIDDLETON-Erna Catherine (Ziegler) Esser was born into eternal life on July 30, 2016. Her life's journey began on the family farm in Ashton on June 18, 1925. She is the eleventh child of John and Anna Marie (Bollenbeck) Ziegler born just before her twin sister Edna. She married Norbert Peter Esser on April 17, 1947. Norbert preceded her in death on July 10, 2012. She is survived by her three children; a daughter, Louise Endres and her husband Carl. Her children, Thomas P. Grady, his wife Katie, their children T.J. and Liz, Tammy Emmons and husband Ryan, their children Quentin and Brianne, Joan Gordon and her husband Brent and their children Giselle and Brock, and step-daughters Lynn Fahey and Melissa Jaskowski. Her daughter, Linda Wright (Don Strassman) and her sons Brian Roessler and his fiancée Melissa Minnig, Tyson Roessler and his wife Nicole, and their children Alexiah and Leiland; and her son Linus Esser. Erna is survived by a brother-in-law, Alfred Nonn and predeceased in death by her siblings and their spouses: Pauline and Ed Brabender, Hilda and Roman Schmitz, Ida and Ed Hensen, Lydia and Eugene Treinen, Rita Nonn, Edna and Anton Maier, Alphonse and Elizabeth Ziegler, Paul and Marie Ziegler, Emil and Agnes Ziegler, and Agatha and Bertha Ziegler. She is survived by her in-laws George and Barbara Esser, Catherine Outhouse, Betty Voss, Mary Jane Esser and Aija Esser. She was preceded in death by her in-laws Theresa and Leo Treinen, Margaret Maier, Andrew and Marie Esser, Lawrence and Eugene Esser, Donald Voss, and Russell Outhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 7450 University Avenue, Middleton, at 11:00 AM on August 9, 2016 with Father Doug Dushack presiding. Burial will be at St. Bernard's Cemetery. Visitation will begin at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Hartland Hospice for their care and kindness. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Events
Mass of Christian Burial
Tue Aug 9, 2016 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. Bernards Catholic Church (Middleton) • 2015 Parmenter St., Middleton, WI null
Photos
No photos of Erna have been shared yet.
Memories
MM
Marilyn Mosigin
Other •
I'll always remember all the good times we had, especially all the Sunday afternoon visits!
VT
V. Thompson
Other •
My sincere condolences to the family of Erna Esser. May you find comfort in your loving memories, and in God's promise to soon "swallow up death forever" and "wipe away the tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25;8) With deepest sympathy,
TE
Tammy Emmons
Other •
My last grandparent passed away on Saturday. Grandma Esser was an energetic lady, who loved to talk, had a lot of clothes (I never saw an outfit twice until she was in her mid 80s), very organized (I asked where she bought her couch, 10 seconds later she comes back with the original price tag (that pre-dated PLU codes), made the best long johns, and cleaned so well that I'd eat off her garage floor! She worked out in her 80s with an exercise bike and soup cans for weights. She introduced me to some of my favorite foods: Hellmans mayonnaise, Bugles, Triscuits, homemade onion dip, and 50/50 pop. She had great skills and could make any piece off furniture new again, and made the coolest lamp shade to match my teenage room decor, and made the most beautiful jewel covered lamp. I guess one learns a lot living through the Great Depression. I have the fondest memories watching the Good Neighbor's Fest parade at her house. You were loved Grandma and will be greatly missed.
JF
Joyce Fasanella
Other •
I had the privilege of bringing communion to Erna for about a year when she lived at the Jefferson Apartments. She always looked forward to the visit and to praying together. She was always so nice to ask about my family and what was happening in my life. She truly cared! She had a great smile and never complained. I will always remember her!
RL
Rose Lubcke
Other •
Rose Lubcke
WK
Walt and Berdi Kaegi
Other •
We will be out of town on Tuesday and cannot attend the funeral of Aunt Erna. You all have our sympathy and prayers. A donation will be made to Hospice in her name.
Berdi and Walt Kaegi