Augusta Esser

Augusta "Gustie" Marie (Heller) Esser was born December 26, 1909, to Joseph and Mary (Erlbacher) Heller near Buck Grove, Iowa. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Earling. Gustie married Alex Esser on June 14, 1938, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dunlap. The couple lived in Earling where Gustie taught piano lessons for a number of years. She was also a seamstress and sewed many items for people. Gustie worked part time for the telephone company and wrote sports articles for the Harlan and Omaha papers. Alex died on December 15, 1953, as a result of a car accident.

Gustie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of Americas Court Saint Katherine #266 for 82 years. She played the organ for church services and was also the choir director. Gustie was very musical, and she could play the piano, organ, violin, accordion, and the guitar.

Gustie died February 27, 2010, at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 100 years, two months, and one day.

Gustie was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Esser; seven brothers, Leonard, Leo, Albert, Joseph, Lawrence, Irvin and Urban Heller; and granddaughter, Amy Heffernan. Gustie is survived by her four children, Mary Ann (Nick) Kenkel, Jolene (James) Jauron of Indianola, Iowa, Rose (Don) Thompson of Dunlap, Iowa, and Alma (Myron) Brewer of Council Bluffs, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; sister, Marie Heller; brother Peter Heller; and two sisters-in-law, Kathleen Heller and Ruth Heller all of Dunlap, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Wednesday, March 3, 2010
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Earling, Iowa

Concelebrant
Reverend Howard Fitzgerald
Reverend Paul Strittmatter, SJ

Musicians
Mary Wilwerding
Phil Esser & Annette Allen

Selections
"How Great Thou Art"
"You Raise Me Up"
"Ave Maria"

Pall Bearers
Jeff Jauron ~ Jerry Jauron ~ Jason Jauron ~ Justin Jauron
Dan Kenkel ~ Nick Kenkel Jr. ~ Jeff Buffington

Final Resting Place
St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Earling, Iowa