January 27, 2020 – West Bend, WI –Marie (Esselman) Kraus passed away on January 26, at Cedar Community in West Bend. She was born on March 18, 1918 in Newburg, Wisconsin to the late Richard and Katherine Esselman. Marie was 101 years old.
She was preceded in death by her husband Howard, 9 sisters and brothers, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, daughter-in-law Carol Foney Kraus and an infant child, Mary.
She is survived by her children, Paul (Carol) of Athens, Rachel Egan of Madison, Roger (Diane) of Fredonia, and Leon (Anita), of Kewaskum, twelve grandchildren, their spouses and twenty great-grandchildren.
Marie grew up on her father’s farm near Newburg. She became a beautician and owned her own shop in Fredonia for many years. She continued in the business after she and Howard moved to West Bend. After retirement she became an enthusiastic gardener, growing colorful flowers and beautiful vegetables.
Her wonderful sense of humor and the stories she liked to tell will be greatly missed. There were few things she enjoyed more than visiting with friends and family around her kitchen table. She made wonderful soups, German potato salad and the tastiest turkey dressing. There were frequently homemade cookies and always a pot of coffee.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 12:00 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend with Rev. Howard Haase presiding. Burial will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery. The family will greet visitors on Saturday, at the church only from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to Holy Angels School would be appreciated.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving her family.
