Esther J. Funk, age 95, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Meriter Hospital from complications of congestive heart failure and pneumonia.
Esther was born on September 23, 1928 in Middleton, Wisconsin to the late John and Clara (Binius) Meyer. She graduated from Middleton High School and went on to work various office jobs. On a snowy Easter, April 17, 1949 she married Robert L. Funk, and they resided nearly their entire life in Middleton. They raised three children, David, Carol, and Adrienne. In 1960 they built a cabin on Loon Lake, Wisconsin, to enjoy yearly summer family vacations. Tragically, after 44 years of marriage, Robert passed away in November, 1993. During the next 15 years, Esther had the privilege of traveling with her daughters and friends to locations including the Grand Canyon, the coast of California, Glacier National Park, Boston and the lighthouses along the coast of Maine, Yellowstone National Park and a cruise to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Poland and Estonia, and a whirlwind tour of 5 countries in Europe. These numerous trips brought her great joy as she reminisced about all the wonderful sites she was able to enjoy.
The beauty of God’s creation was enhanced by Esther’s strong religious faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was baptized in 1972, and was currently associated with the Pleasant View congregation. Esther enjoyed sharing Bible truth’s with others, even up to the days before her death, as it sustained her even as her health declined.
Esther suffered a double loss in 2019 as her son, David, passed away in March, and her daughter, Adrienne, passed away in October. The last five years she was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Carol, which allowed her to remain in her home nearly until her death. Esther is survived by her daughter Carol (John) of Lowell, Wisconsin, her granddaughter, Eileen, of Blanchardville, Wisconsin, along with other relatives and friends. No formal funeral arrangements are planned at this time.
The family would like to thank Four Winds Manor for their compassionate care over the last month of Esther’s life as well as the dedicated care from the doctors and nurses in the ER and heart floor of Meriter Hospital.
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