Lester Esser

Lester W. "Les" Esser, age 86, of Cassville, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. He was born on January 23, 1930, in the town of Glen Haven, the son of Leo and Esther (Klinkhammer) Esser. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1947. On August 15, 1951, Lester was united in marriage to Lea Mae Shaben at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville. He entered the United States Army in 1951 and served his country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1956. After his military service, Lester worked as a mechanic at Wilkomm's Garage in Cassville. He also drove school bus for the Cassville School District. Lester was also employed at Dairyland Power Company for 29 years, retiring in 1993. He and his wife, Lea Mae, "Ahmmie," also owned their own business, Esser's Bar, for seven years. Les enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoyed bowling and singing karaoke, especially, "Elvira." Les was a very talented woodworker and mechanic. He was loved and will be missed very much.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Lea Mae Esser; their three children: Bruce (Nikki) Esser, Waunakee; Brenda (Roger) Schnering, Cassville; Barbara (Mark) Ledbury, Marshall; six grandchildren: Brandon Ledbury, Waterloo, WI; Heather Ledbury, Knoxville, TN; Tyler Ledbury, Marshall; Steven (Emily Fitzsimons) Schnering, Mount Horeb; Stacey (Andrew) Depies, Madison; Scott (Katie) Schnering, Dubuque, IA; one great-grandchild, Avery Schnering; a sister, JoAnn (Garrett) Delury, Prairie du Chien; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cassville with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial with military honors was in St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville. Family and friends called on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Lester W. Esser Memorial Fund has been established.