Marian M. Essner

Marian M. Essner, of Kelso, passed away on Friday August 28 at the Lutheran Home. She was born August 14, 1926 in Kelso, MO to John and Christine Diebold Ressel. Marian grew up on a farm just south of Kelso, where she worked with her family as a young girl. She attended school at St. Augustine Grade School in Kelso. At the age of 15 she went to work at St. Francis Hospital in Cape and later worked at Buckstein’s clothing factory in Chaffee and the shoe factory in Cape.

Marian and Raymond Essner of New Hamburg were married on July 8, 1947. From this union were born four sons and two daughters. Marian became a stay at home Mom after the birth of her first son in 1950. In August 1964, Marian and Raymond purchased the Conoco Station in Kelso and operated it as Ray’s Conoco until their retirement in 1984.

Marian spent her entire life in Kelso where she was actively involved in St. Augustine Catholic Church. Marian had a green thumb, something she learned from her mother, and for many years took care of all the flower arrangements used at St. Augustine. After retiring, Marian and Raymond also spent many years delivering holy communion every Sunday to the Catholic residents of Fountainbleu Lodge in Cape.

Although all of these activities were important to Marian, the most important thing in her life was her family. She was an excellent cook and loved hosting all of her kids and grandkids at her home every year at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas as long as she was able to. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Wilfred, one sister, Norma, and an infant daughter, Theresa.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond; four sons, Danny (Debbie) Essner and Doug (Leslie) Essner of Cape, David Essner and Dennis (Becky) Essner of Kelso; a daughter, Donna (Chris) Scherer of Kelso; and one brother, Jerome (Dorothy) Ressel of Cape.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Kasie (Josh) Irby, Nick Essner and Blake (Christina) Essner of Cape; Brent (Malerie) Essner of Jackson; Christina Scherer, John Scherer and Paul Scherer of Kelso; Kerri Essner of St Louis; two great grandsons, Brendan Essner of Jackson and Parker Essner of Cape; and two great granddaughters, Maebry Essner of Jackson and Ellie Essner of Cape.

Due to Covid 19 visitation and funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marian’s name to St. Augustine School 211 South Messmer PO BOX 26 Kelso, MO 63758