Delores Colleen Esser
June 16, 1932 - January 04, 2026
Obituary
MOUNT HOREB - Delores Colleen Robb Esser was born on June 16, 1932, to Millie C. Halverson and Milo C. Robb. She was the only daughter growing up with her three brothers, Franklin, Myron and Harlow. She married Philip P. Esser on February 6, 1954, in Mount Horeb, Wis. They had three children, Debra Kay, Kevin Douglas and Marla Jean.
Delores had never lived on a farm until she got married. After 12 ½ months, her husband, Phil was drafted into the U.S. Army. She stayed on the farm with the help of a hired man until she got him out on a hardship discharge after 15 months. They farmed until March 1995, when they rented the land out, building a new home on Erb Road in 1996, where they resided until they moved to Noel Manor in March of 2017.
Delores worked off the farm as a bookkeeper, and later as a caregiver and nanny. Her one joy was babies. She retired when her husband, Philip, got dementia. Delores liked to sew, refinish furniture and bake. One of her spectacular assets was making cinnamon rolls. Every time an occasion came about she was asked to make her cinnamon rolls. And when she had made her double batch, she would kindly give her children the extras which they loved immensely.
She was a member of the Saint Ignatius Catholic Church since 1954. She taught religion classes there for a few years and was also a member of the Altar Society for a few years. She was on the outreach board of the Senior Center in Mount Horeb for 16 years.
Delores is survived by her children, Deb (Alvin) Jeffson, Kevin (friend Joy) and Marla Esser; grandchildren, Tia Gibson (James), Jeremy Jeffson (significant other Jess) and Sage and Sierra Signor, San Diego, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Shawn Galway, Phinley Johnson and Parker Johnson, Zaiden, Quinlin and Sage Gibson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins from both sides of the family. She is also survived by her in-laws, Fay (Bill) Skews, Lola Robb, Jim (Esther) Esser, Eugene Esser and Doris Zweifel.
Delores will be laid to rest next to her husband, Phillip, at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Mount Horeb. A celebration of life will be held at KALSCHEUR PARK, 3734 County Road P, Cross Plains, from 12 noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026. A buffet will be served.
Many thanks to Kerri, Lisa and staff at Four Winds Manor for all the care, love and support that was provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Agrace HospiceCare would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Mom, grandma, great-grandma - we love you.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077