DeFLORIAN, Esther Mae (Hess) 1940-2010

DEFLORIAN, HESS, SHERWOOD, TURNER, LIEDER, GAVIN

Posted By: Daniel Zoll (email)
Date: 4/5/2010 at 23:45:20

Esther Mae (Hess) DeFlorian, 69, passed away March 12, 2010, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Center. Esther had won her battle with lung cancer in 2002 only to begin another merciless battle in 2004 with multiple myeloma. She had always been very thankful of all her doctors' hard work, especially her favorite, Dr. Bottner.

Esther was born in Lansing, Iowa, on Sept. 24, 1940, to Pius and Elsie Hess. She married Ray DeFlorian in a beautiful winter ceremony Feb. 4, 1961. After marriage, the couple moved around Wisconsin several times, eventually settling in La Crosse. Esther had worked as a seamstress in various garment factories throughout her life and most recently held a job as a lot attendant for La Crosse Municipal Airport. Esther will always be remembered for her feisty attitude and dry sense of humor. She wasn't afraid to tell you her opinion and could often be found gossiping with friends and family.

She is survived by her only child, Linda DeFlorian-Sherwood; granddaughter, Ninja DeFlorian-Stevens (Jason Butterfield); stepgranddaughter, Stephanie "Stevie" Sherwood (Joshua Orrico); step-great-grandchildren, Bebe Sherwood, Jalen Turner, Joe Lieder and James Butterfield; sisters, Georgianna and LuAnn Gavin; brothers, Martin "Bud" (Marie Coultier) and Joe Hess; and myriad nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and two sisters, Mary and Martha.

A Funeral Mass for family and close friends was held10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse. The Rev. Monsignor Robert Hundt officiated, with a private interment at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends was held one hour prior to Mass at the church.

A memorial service at the request of the deceased will be held later this spring at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Gundersen Lutheran for all their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated in memory of Esther to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice or American Cancer Society.