Esther Mae DeFlorian, 69, of French Island, passed away surrounded by her family on March 12, 2010 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

 

 La Crosse – 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, IA 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 the 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), step-granddaughter 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 a myriad of 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 will be held at 10:30AM on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at Saint James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse.  The Reverend Monsignor Robert Hundt will officiate with a private interment at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park.  A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the 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.

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 the American Cancer Society.