Esther Desbrow, age 94, was born to eternal life on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at Bethel Home in Oshkosh. She was born on December 27, 1916 in Oshkosh, the daughter of Hugo and Ella (Merton) Merk. She was a graduate of Oshkosh High School and married Ira Desbrow on September 12, 1938 and together they shared 53 years. In addition to Oshkosh, Esther lived in Rice Lake for 4 years and in Marshfield for 18.
Esther belonged to St. John's Catholic Church in Oshkosh where she received all of her sacraments. She worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses and as an assistant to the Dean at the University of Wisconsin Marshfield/Wood County. She was active in the Twentieth Century Club in Oshkosh and served on its board of directors for many years. She was also an active member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed outings with her Red Hat friends.
An avid and expert golfer, Esther earned many championships at the Marshfield Country Club, the Westview Country Club (now the Riveredge) in Marshfield and the Bass Lake Country Club in Antigo. She golfed until she was 85 and enjoyed traveling with Ira to golf sites and golf tournaments around the country. She and Ira, along with their children and grandchildren, had many years of enjoyment at their Bass Lake home near Antigo. After she retired from golf, she never missed a golf tournament on TV.
Esther enjoyed life and faced her many physical challenges with great courage and determination. She was witty and engaged in current events and the Packers through last week. She lived a full life and was a model to all of us in many ways.
She is survived by her three daughters, Nancy (Art) Benzschawel of Madison, Mary Jo Desbrow of Oshkosh, Chris (Bill) Breu of Effingham, Illinois; son, Dennis Desbrow of Antigo. She is also survived by four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren: Jane (Paul) Cronan and Alex and Julia of Canberra, Australia, Scott (Barcie) Benzschawel and Abbey, Luke, Beau and J.P. of Grafton, Eric (Michelle) Benzschawel and Emily, Megan and Aaron of Monroe, Daniel (Nicole) Breu of St. Louis. Further surviving are her siblings, Mary (Jack) Fuller, Jeanette Hoffman, Kenneth (Maxine) Merk and many nieces and nephews. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Ira in 1991; parents, and a brother, Hugh Merk.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at St. Jude the Apostle Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 519 Knapp Street, Oshkosh, with Reverend William Van De Kreeke officiating. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will take place at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Esther's name to JustFaith Ministries, P.O. Box 221348, Louisville, Kentucky 40252. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.
The family is deeply grateful and wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to the caring staff at Gabriel Villa, the nursing staff and rehabilitation therapists at Bethel Home, Affinity Hospice staff, Oakwood Dialysis Unit, and Esther's special caregiver, Ethel Krumenauer.
Seefeld Funeral and
Cremation Services
(920) 236-7750