Esther M Pertzsch

She was born on August 5, 1922, in Groesbeck, Texas, to Joseph and Ruth (Clancy) Slaughter. She married Russell H. Pertzsch on February 24, 1946, in West Salem and he preceded her in death on July 21, 2004.

Esther was a devoted farm wife and a wonderful homemaker. She loved to cook and tend to her flower and vegetable gardens, and also enjoyed sewing, crafting and needlework. Esther also led a lifetime of service to her church and her community. She was a long-time active member of St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church in Onalaska where she was a member of the Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Luther High Auxiliary and a charter member of the La Crosse Area OWLS. She served as Clerk and Treasurer for the Town of Medary and volunteered her time as an election worker for many years for the Town of Medary and the City of Onalaska. She was also a member of the Fauver Hill Study Club, the Onalaska Area Historical Society, the La Crosse County Farm Bureau, the Medary Garden Club, and the Fauver Hill Homemakers and Social Club.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Dave) Hill of Aubrey, Texas, and Karen (Jim) Gasper of Onalaska; two sons, David (Tami) Pertzsch of La Crosse, and Douglas Pertzsch of Onalaska; her adopted daughter, Carol (Mick) Schuldt of Onalaska; five grandchildren, Christopher (Heather) Hill of Justin, Texas, Michelle (Travis) Boman of Alvarado, Texas, Jacob Pertzsch (Rose Khem) of the Twin Cities, Kelly Pertzsch of Portland, Ore., and Leslie Farley (Jon Pfennig) of Onalaska; twelve great grandchildren; her extended family which included the Jim Gasper family and Roger, Roxanne, Gracie and Gretchen Overton; her sisters, Mary Barnes of Albuquerque, N. Mex., Virginia Parks of Dallas, Texas, and Martha Clemo of Forney, Texas; sisters-in-law, Marge Zantow of West Salem and Ruth Markle of Anaconda, Mont.; brother-in-law, Don Pertzsch of Holmen; many beloved nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of wonderful friends. In addition to her husband, Esther was also preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ruth Slaughter; her in-laws, Harry and Martha Pertzsch; sisters, Jane Williams and Jo Christian; sister-in-law, Dorothy Pertzsch; and brothers-in-law, Jay Williams, Theo Christian, Pete Barnes, Fred Parks, Gene Clemo, Evan Zantow, and Stuart Markle.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 6th, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church, 1201 Main St., Onalaska. Rev. Norris Baumann and Rev. William Bader will officiate. Burial will follow in the Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday from noon until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to St. Pauls Lutheran Church or the Luther High Tuition Assistance Fund.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mark Jungck for the many years of care given to Esther and to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Mayo Clinic Health System and the Onalaska Care Center for their wonderful care.