Lea Mae E. Esser

Cassville, WI- With broken hearts we said goodbye to Lea Mae Esser on October 5, 2022. Sadly, Lea Mae received her wings while a resident at Bethany Home in Dubuque, where she suffered with the illness of Dementia. She was 91 years old.

Lea Mae was born on November 8, 1930, to Clifford and Agnes (Brinkman) Shaben. She was 4th from the oldest in a family of ten children. Lea Mae and her siblings, Jean, Rose, Leroy, Joann “Sis”, Lonnie, Paul “John”, Lila, Gloria and Judy were raised in Cassville. From a young age her siblings nicknamed her "Ahmmie" and the name stuck with her for the rest of her life.

As many of her family members can relate, Lea Mae loved to dance. When she heard good music, especially Elvis songs or Country music, she would start "cutting the rug!" She was born into a very musical family. She said back in the day, they went to dances every Friday night. She met the love of her life, Lester Esser, at a dance. It was a joy to watch them. They made dancing look so easy and effortless. Lea Mae and Lester were united in marriage on August 15, 1951 and went on to have three children.

Lea Mae was born during the Great Depression. The primary effects of children born during the Great Depression were hard labor and a strong work ethic. Lea Mae knew both. At 17 years old, Lea Mae worked at the Rainbow Grill in Lancaster, WI. She also had factory jobs in Dubuque at the battery factory and canning factory. She was later employed at Rapid Die & Molding Company in Cassville where she worked for 30+ years, retiring at the age of 62 to join her husband in retirement.

Lea Mae is survived by her three children, Bruce (Nikki) Esser of Waunakee, Brenda (Roger) Schnering of Cassville, and Barbara (Mark) Ledbury of Marshall, WI, six grandchildren; Brandon, Heather, Tyler, Steven, Stacey and Scott and 6 great-grandchildren; Avery, Mila, Finn, Layla, Isabelle and Hunter. She is also survived by her sisters Rose, Lila, Gloria, Judy and her brother Lonnie, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Lea Mae is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Lester, and her siblings; Jean, Joann “Sis”, Leroy and Paul “John”.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father Greg Ihm officiating. Burial will be held in St. Charles Cemetery in Cassville. Family and friends may call on Friday, October 14, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will be held at J & J's Sand Bar after the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will go to Cassville Rescue Squad and Hospice of Dubuque.

We would like to thank the staff at Park Place Memory Care of Platteville, the nurses and staff at

Bethany Home in Dubuque and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care & compassion they gave our Mom. You truly are angels and the work you do is amazing. God Bless You and all of our healthcare workers!