Kewaskum, WI – Loretta Esser, 95, a resident of Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum, formerly of West Bend died on Monday, November 11, 2024. Loretta was born on August 10, 1929 in St. Kilian, WI, the 8th of 9 children of the late Peter and Loretta Wiesner.
On February 4, 1956 she married Norman Esser from Campbellsport, WI. They were married for 64 years until Norman’s passing in 2020.
Loretta was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, a member of the Christian Mothers and dedicated to her Catholic faith. She worked various jobs her entire life and spent 22 years as an employee of Pick Heaters in West Bend, retiring at the age of 65.
Loretta participated in league bowling for many years and won numerous trophy’s for her high bowling average. She enjoyed playing cribbage and sheepshead. She also enjoyed summer vacations to Crivitz, WI. Loretta loved to travel and went on trips throughout the United States and other countries. In later years she did sudoku and crossword puzzles and enjoyed time on her iPad.
She is survived by 3 children, Pam (Paul) Opichka of West Bend, Joyce (John) Koerth of Casa Grande, AZ and Curtis of Appleton, 3 grandchildren: Sarah (Kyle) Ehrhardt of Denver, CO, Jason (Janassa) Opichka of Denver, CO and Kimberly Koerth of Phoenix, AZ and 2 great-grandchildren: Lailah and Mila Opichka. She is further survived by her sister Katherine “Tootie” Reimer, a special niece Laura Nigh, 2 sisters-in-law Carol Murphy and Jane (Ed) Gurno, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Loretta is preceded in death by 3 brothers: Lawrence Wiesner, Jacob (Patricia) Wiesner and Adam Wiesner, 4 sisters: Priscilla (Anton) Wolf, Mildred Wiesner, Vinelda (Alfred) Thurke and Armella Gahlman, her in-laws Frank and Frances Esser, 3 brothers-in-law Roy (Dorothy) Esser, George Reimer and James Murphy and 1 sister-in-law Sr. Jeanette Esser.
A special Thank You to the staff at Kettle Moraine Gardens and Preceptor Hospice Care for their kindness, compassion and love for Loretta.
Loretta enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors including Benita, Dolores, Aletha, Bryan, Gail, Susan, JoAnne and Shorty and others along with and phone visits with her longtime friend Bernice. A special Thank You to Brenda, the coordinator of pastoral care at St. Frances Cabrini Church for visits with mom.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Jacob Strand will take place at 2:00 p.m. Entombment will follow in Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial to St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School in West Bend or to the West Bend Community Memorial Library for their homebound program.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family. If you would like to leave a message of comfort and condolence, please visit schmidtfuneralhome.com
