Caroline Esser

Caroline Esser Caroline was born on April 18, 1924 in Westphalia, IA. She was the 7th of 11 children born to William and Mary (Schiltz) Schwarte. On April 13, 1948, she married Ivo J. Esser in Panama, IA. She graduated from high school when she was sixteen years old and she wanted to become a teacher, but the war broke out and all her brothers at home enlisted in The Service leaving her to do the farm work with her father. Even though she didn't become a teacher, she believed the path to a better life was through education and she wanted all of her nine children to earn a college diploma, and they all did. Caroline was very active in St. Anne's Church where she headed the Altar and Rosary Society, the Parish Council and taught catechism. She passed her faith on to her family and taught us how to lead a good life by her example. Caroline loved to read, cook, travel, garden, play games, and follow her children and grandchildren in their extracurricular activities. Her favorite pastime later in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Even in her 70's and 80's, she would be outside actively playing games with her grandchildren. If you were in her house, she would organize card games, board games, or puzzles with the family. There was always something fun to do at grandma's house. Caroline loved to feed people. Many of our childhood memories revolved around homemade bread, cookies, spaghetti sauce, vegetables from her garden, homemade jellies and jams, and pumpkin bars. You never left her house hungry. Caroline was always happy and it was contagious. People always felt better after being with her. She found joy in life and she passed that joy on to the people who met her. Caroline is preceded in death by her parents, 7 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her children: daughters, Mary Kay Esser of Omaha, NE, Patricia Esser of Logan, IA, Elizabeth Esser of Omaha, NE, Carol Ann (Clinton) Reid of Underwood, IA; and sons, Kenneth (Debbie) Esser of Omaha, NE, Charles (Kim) Esser of Neola, IA, and Eugene Esser of Logan, IA; Joseph (Sarah) Esser of Logan, IA; Ted (Nancy) Esser of Omaha, NE; her sister, Margaret (Gerald) Eipperle of Omaha, NE; and 21 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Visitation was held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Logan, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Logan, Iowa. Arrangements made by Logan Memorial Chapel 712-644-2929|www.loganfuneralchapel.com