James J Esser, age 95 of Spooner, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

James was born in Garden Valley/Alma Center, Wisconsin on January 25, 1928, to John and Helen (Gilles) Esser.

He was raised in Alma Center and was a graduate of Alma Center Lincoln High School. He married Marion Ellingson on October 22, 1949, in Alma Center, Wisconsin. During their marriage, they had 8 children and were married for just short of 60 years when she passed away in 2009. In 2011, he married Kathleen Smith.

James lived in Alma Center, Fairchild, Disco and LaCrosse before moving to Spooner in 1967 where he worked at the State Patrol as a dispatcher. James retired from the Wisconsin State Patrol in 1990. He enjoyed being outdoors; he cared for plentiful gardens that provided food for his family, chopped countless cords of wood to heat their home, and was seen mowing his lawn with a push mower earlier this summer. He was very proud of his family and cherished and time spent with them. He was an avid card player. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Holy Trinity Council in Spooner and a member of St. Francis de Sales parish for 56 years where he spent countless hours working the smelt fries, souper suppers and pancake breakfasts.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Kathleen; his children, Susan (Michael) Dietz of Rice Lake, Donald (Elizabeth) Esser of Spooner, Denise (Ralph) Stanley of Puyallup, WA, Steven (friend Laura Holtzman) Esser of Spooner, and Eugene (Sherry) Esser of Spooner, Kathryn (Jacques) Boissy of Spooner, Linda (Jerry) Okonek of Spooner and Joan (Christopher) Selvig of Elk Grove Village, IL; 24 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; many other cherished nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; grandsons, Brian Esser and Trevor Okonek; parents, John and Helen; sisters, Ruth and Louise; brothers, Harold, Leo, Robert, Duane, Giles, Raymond and Claire.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, June 16, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Spooner. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Spooner.

Family and friends are invited for visitation Thursday, June 15th from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Spooner Funeral Home and on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Alma Center, WI. Please send all donations to 341 W Main St, Alma Center, WI 54611.

Last Update: Jun 13, 2023 6:42 am CDT