Michele Esser

Wyocena – Michele Dianne Esser, aged 59 departed this earth on August 3, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Our beloved sister, aunt, friend and dog mom faced life and its challenges with strength, humor and independence, but above all, with a loving heart for those she held close. Michele was born on December 18, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. She attended grade school in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, middle school at Orchard Ridge in Madison and high school at Madison Memorial. Michele enjoyed sports, especially bowling and softball. She treasured her days with family watching the Packers and bowling afternoons with her father. As an adult, she took great pride in owning and operating her own cleaning business, and worked at UW Hospitals and Clinics where she loved helping others. Most recently she spent her days with her dog and dear friends in Wyocena, Wisconsin, and visiting her family in Madison as often as her health permitted.
After her cancer diagnosis in 2016, her courage and fight remained strong. She was winning the battle with pancreatic cancer, but after six years, cancer returned.
Michele loved her fur babies and her devotion to them was unwavering. Sami, Bailey, Marley and most recently, Bear, who she leaves behind, brought her immense love, comfort and joy. Their "warmth and wags" highlighted her days.
Michele was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence and her mother, Marilyn. She leaves behind her sisters Laura (Jered) Duke, Port Charlotte, FL, Lisa Esser, Madison and Margo Komplin (Paul), Sun Prairie, nephews Ryan (Leia) Esser, Mason Splinter, Nolan Splinter (Lauren), Christopher Duke (Tim), Cameron (Sierra) Duke, Connor Duke, Kyle Komplin (Rochelle), Drew Komplin, Blake Komplin, uncles and numerous aunts and cousins. She was incredibly grateful for her dear friends Clint, Gary and Lena and left us all with a legacy of love and kindness that will forever be remembered. In her final message, Michele shares her parting thoughts with this poem by Joey Beighley:
Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow,
But remember me in every tomorrow.
Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,
I've only gone to rest a little while.
Although my leaving causes pain and grief,
My going has eased my hurt and given me relief.
So dry your eyes and remember me,
Not as I am now, but as I used to be.
Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile,
Understand, in your hearts, I've only gone to rest a little while.
As long as I have the love of each of you,
I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.
A celebration to honor Michele's journey will be held at The Crosse House, 133 West Main Street, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2024, with a remembrance tribute beginning at 4:00 p.m.