Marlene Rae Essmann

Marlene Rae Essmann, 69 years old, of Beaver Dam, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at her home. The visitation will be held at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 North Crystal Lake Road, in Beaver Dam on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at the funeral home on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Inurnment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens, Town of Trenton, Dodge County, Wisconsin, at a later date. Marlene was born the daughter of Irving and Bertha (Van Wright) Petrie on January 26, 1945 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She was united in marriage to David Essmann on April 22, 1967 in Sheboygan. Marlene was employed by Oscar Mayer Products from 1996 until 2004. She was also employed by Beaver Dam Community Hospital as the head cook from 1974 until 1996. Marlene was a member of St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. She was also a member of the YMCA. Marlene enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing cards, numerous outings with her sisters, and weekly get-togethers with her friends from the hospital. In their retirement years, Marlene and David traveled to various places. She mostly loved time with her grandchildren, especially watching their sporting events. Marlene is survived by her husband, David Essmann of Beaver Dam; daughter, Suzette (Mark) Evensen of Beaver Dam; sisters and brothers, Rita Ertl, Mary Ann Knee, Dennis (Barb) Petrie, Donna (Dennis) Schlichting, Bonnie (Jim) Menne, Darla Peterson, Karen Weisz, Adrian (Nancy) Petrie, Maureen (Scott) Martin, and Daniel (Mary) Petrie; two grandchildren, David and Michael Heiling; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy Petrie-Swanson, Martha Wright, Virginia and Rod Bradley; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Marlene is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Tony Petrie; and brother-in-law, Andy Ertl. Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.