Mary Ellen Esser

Mary Ellen Esser, age 101, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024.

Mary was born on September 9, 1922, the daughter of the late David and Eva (Clemens) Madigan. Mary was raised on a farm in Dane and graduated from Lodi High School with the class of 1940. She graduated from the Milwaukee School of Beauty Culture in June of 1941.

She was united in marriage to H. Robert “Bob” Esser in Dane on September 1, 1945. They were married for 71 years and enjoyed camping and traveling with family and friends. They were members of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish for decades. 

In her spare time, she enjoyed golfing, playing cards, bowling, going to Madison Symphony concerts, and cross-country skiing.

She is survived by her children David, Donald (Anne Alessi), Elaine Stanton, James (Sally Higgins), and Jane Esser (Bill Brewer); grandchildren Jennifer Esser, Eric Esser (Calvin Harberg), Caeli Esser, Max (Maribel Tinajero) Stanton, Colleen (Michael) Moran, and Charlotte (Jeffrey) Gonnella; and great-grandchildren Roman, Bechkam, and Lochlan Moran; Torin, Freyja and Aurora Aschim; and Hunter and Wyatt Gonnella, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Mildred; brother John (Dorothy) Madigan; sister Patricia (George) Richards; sister Eva (Harry “Buzz”) Middleton, and brother Richard (Shirley) Madigan.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH, 401 South Owen Drive, Madison. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Madison Symphony Orchestra (www.madisonsymphony.org), Wisconsin Public Radio (give.wpr.org), or Wisconsin Public Television (give.pbswisconsin.org).

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Mayo Hospice Care for their great care and compassion.