Obituary: Marie M. (Duffey) Esser - Class of 1931

MADISON - Marie M. Esser, age 94, died on Thursday, April 26, 2007, at HospiceCare, after a short illness. She was born on July 27, 1912, in Highland, the daughter of John J. and Mary (Wall) Duffey. She married James Esser on Sept. 7, 1938, at St. Raphael's Cathedral and he preceded her in death on March 27, 1997. Marie moved from Highland when she was in sixth grade, attended St. Raphael's Grade School and graduated from Central High School in 1931. She then went to Stemp Business School and retired from the State Medical Society. She also enjoyed the fashion world and had been employed by many Madison department stores. She was a member of the Catholic Women's Club, President of the Rosary Altar Society at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison and was a member of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, Sun Prairie. Survivors include her son, Gerald (Deanna) Esser of Madison; three grandchildren, Steve (Heidi) Miller of Denver, Colo., Michael Miller of Appleton and Marianne (Jon) Baer of Milwaukee; five great-grandchildren, Alexis, Cole and Connor Miller, Kyle Miller and Nathan Baer; a former son-in-law, Thomas P. Miller; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; a daughter, Mary Kay Miller; a sister, Margaret Rohr; and three brothers, C.J. Duffey, Ed Duffey and John Duffey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 221 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Father Michael Radowicz will officiate with entombment in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call at the JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., where a rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Friends and relatives may also call at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be made to the Mary Kay Miller Scholarship Fund, Apostolate to the Handicapped or HospiceCare Inc. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 29, 2007