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Mildred Pearl Esser
1939 - 2026
BORN
1939
DIED
2026
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Mildred Esser Obituary
October 2, 1939 - February 28, 2026
Mildred (Midge) Pearl Esser, 86, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born on October 2, 1939, to Maurice Jr. and Amanda (Walstad) Moriarty in Hand County, South Dakota. She had a wonderful life growing up on the ranch. She graduated from Wessington High School in 1957.
After high school, Mildred attended cosmetology school in Sioux Falls, SD. Following graduation, Mildred and her sister, Dorothy, owned the Redfield Beauty Shop. She was a beautician for 52 years.
She married Don Esser on August 27, 1972, and they resided in Redfield, SD. In 2011, Mildred moved to Lincoln, NE, to be closer to her daughter, Sheila, and her family. She was an active grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family and sharing in their many activities. Her hobbies included exercise classes, playing cards, and sudoku puzzles.
Mildred is survived by her daughter, Sheila (Elliot) Stevens; grandchildren, Noah Stevens, Samuel Stevens, and Paul Stevens; siblings, Helen Moriarty, Karen Haigh, Richard Moriarty, and Robert (Pat) Moriarty; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Maurice and Amanda; her siblings, G. Ruth Moriarty, Donald Moriarty, and Dorothy Steiner; and her husband, Don Esser.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Roper and Sons South Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Dr., Lincoln, NE 68516. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A burial will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Wessington, South Dakota.
Additional services will be held in Miller, South Dakota, at Reck Funeral Home, 313 E. 1st Ave., Miller, SD 57362. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, with a visitation one hour prior. Following the service, a burial will take place in Wessington, South Dakota.
Memorials are designated to the Wessington Community Center.
Condolences are available online at roperandsons.com
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