LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Darlene's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

CROSS PLAINS - Darlene A. Esser, 83, passed away unexpectedly on February 11, 2025, at Meriter Hospital. She was born at home in Mount Horeb on June 1, 1941, to Henry and Clara (Meinholz) Kruschek. Darlene graduated from Waunakee High School in 1960. She married James (Jim) Esser on April 8, 1961, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Waunakee.

Darlene lived a life well-loved and was the true definition of contentment. She found happiness in little things: the laughter of family, a fresh snowfall, a cozy book, a word puzzle challenge with Jim, finding a treasure at an auction or garage sale, a brandy old-fashioned at a supper club, or a game of euchre with long-time card club friends.

Darlene was a natural caregiver. She and Jim raised six children together, and she ran a home daycare. Everyone who entered their home was treated like family, and they usually left with a batch of homemade cookies, cinnamon rolls, refrigerator pickles, or strawberry jam. She never forgot a birthday and always sent a hand-written card lovingly adorned with stickers.

Her home was her pride, joyfully decorated for every season. She was also proud of "Darlene’s Den," the family cabin in Northern Wisconsin on the Mondeaux Flowage. Over the course of 50 years, many friends and family members made memories at the cabin. She always said, “If these walls could talk,” but rarely spilled the best stories. She never missed the Sunday morning polka radio show at the cabin.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Jimmy and Tiffany Esser (Katarina, Kaden), Jacqueline and Nick Piper (Nicole, Zachary, Jacob), Judi Kohl (Michaela and Josh Chapman, Jordan and Kayla Wells), Janese Williams (Alicia), Jay Esser and Judy Ballweg, Jared and Lynn Esser (Cannon, Brock); and five great-granddaughters, Kendall, Adelynn, Kinsley, and Haven Chapman, Halcyon Wells; siblings, Henry (Carmen) Kruschek, Neil (Sharon) Kruschek, and Steve Kruschek; brother-in-law, Donald (Sharon) Esser; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Severson, Frances Denner, and Lisa (Mike) Blum.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law, Andrew and Marie Esser; her son-in-law, David Kohl; and her brothers-in-law, Robert Esser, Mark Esser, Ronald Severson, and Gary Denner.

A memorial service will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVESTREAM may visit Darlene’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the Mass and click on “Watch Now“ in the Webcast section. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery; lunch will be served. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Francis Xavier Endowment Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Cross Plains
Funeral & Cremation Care
2421 Church St.
(608) 798-3141

Darlene A. Esser

June 01, 1941 - February 11, 2025

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