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Esch, Mary Esther
Mary Esther Esch, 85, of Marion, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, by the Rev. Rod Allers. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Marion, with a vigil service at 5:30 p.m. Burial: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, St. Francis Cemetery, Dyersville.
Survivors include two daughters, Jane (Steve) Woodhouse of Marion, and Joyce Maltas-Rundle of Mechanicsville; a brother, Charles (Betty) Klocker of Dubuque; seven grandchildren, Cristina, Joseph, Jon, Jeremy, Melissa, Ryan and Cody; and five great-grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son-in-law, Randy Maltas; five sisters; and two brothers.
Mary was born June 28, 1924, in Dyersville, Iowa, the daughter of John and Catherine (Claus) Klocker. She married John Esch on Sept. 2, 1947, in Dyersville. She was a beautician for 20 years and then provided day care in her home for over 30 years. Mary was loved and adored by her day care children and their families. Many valued her presence and influence throughout their lives. She was uncommonly selfless, loving and generous and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and enjoyed volunteering to care for neighbors and friends.
A memorial fund has been established.
Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Mary at
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