Geraldine Margaret (Mergen) "Mert" Esser

Geraldine “Mert” Esser, age 84 of Bagley, WI passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. She was born April 9, 1940, to William and Lidwina (Raker) Mergen of Bloomington, WI.

Mert graduated from Bloomington High School in 1958.  She owned a farm in the Township of Wyalusing, doing what she loved the most.  Mert will be remember for all the jobs she had over the years.  Many lifetime friends were made while working at the Pine Tree Inn, Eddie’s Bar, the Country Kitchen, Hutchinson Enterprises, Cabela’s, the Prairie du Chien Country Club, the Eagles Club and especially the Winneshiek, just to name a few.  People in the community will remember what an amazing athlete she was, spending hours on the area ballfields playing on numerous fast pitch softball teams.   She treasured the friendships made over a span of 50 years playing softball and attending sporting events.  Mert was an avid Wisconsin sports fan, but she loved the Chicago Cubs the most.

Mert’s greatest accomplishment was raising her children.  She attended numerous sporting events, performances and graduations.  It was her number one priority to see her children and grandchildren happy and healthy.  She loved spending time with family and friends.  But it was the years of traveling with her loving husband, Buzz, that truly brought her the happiness she so absolutely deserved.

Geraldine ‘Mert’ Esser, you will always be remembered by your family and friends for your strength, your endless loving family values and beautiful passion for celebrating every moment.

Mert will be lovingly remembered by her husband - Henry “Buzz” Esser; Children - Cindy (Paul) Patros, Dan Meyers, Greg Meyers, Vickie Matyi, Jeff Meyers, and Doug Meyers; Grandchildren - Alicia (Jared) Jones, Sierra (Christian) Hallingstad, Mikhail Patros, Daniel Meyers, Andrea (Franklin) Fillbach, Kristen (Joel) Olson, Taylor Meyers, Owen Matyi, Jacob Meyers; Great Grandchildren - Ava, Emma, Noah, Ellijah, and Nova;  Brother - Ernie Mergen (Jeanette Nordorft), Sisters - Elaine (Tom) Quick, Phyllis Stevens (Glenn Davis); Sister in law - MaryJane Mergen.  She was preceded in death by her parents – William & Lidwina Mergen; brother - Ron Mergen; brother-in-law - Erik Stevens; and her previous husband Gerald “Jerry” Meyers.

Memorial Mass of Resurrection will be Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Fr. Brandon Guenther officiating with inurnment in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and also at the church on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass.

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