Esther M. Vlasak, 98, of rural Elroy, Wis., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Aug. 9, 1925, to Christen and Christina (Petersen) Thonesen at home in the town of Glendale, Monroe County, and graduated from the Kendall High School in 1943.
Esther was united in marriage to Adolph Vlasak on April 7, 1945, at the Federated Church in Kendall. They were lifelong residents of the town of Glendale, where they dairy farmed for many years. Esther also worked for Monroe County Finance, the Brandau Sale Barn in Kendall and as a cook at the Country Style Cookin’ restaurant in Hillsboro. Adolph preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 2013.
Esther loved family gatherings with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She enjoyed her country life, working on the farm with her husband, baking, cooking, gardening, card clubs and traveling. She was a member of the Helpful Homemakers Club and the Red Hat Club.
Survivors include her children, Barbara (Edward) Tomlinson of Castle Rock, Colo., Roger (Cheryl) Vlasak of Janesville, Rebecca (William) Sheridan of Durham, Conn., Steven (Laura) Vlasak of Elroy and Shelly Edwards (Nick Buhr) of Green Bay; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Thonesen of Kendall.
In addition to her husband, Adolph, she was preceded in death by her parents; three infant daughters; a daughter, Donna Downing, and a son-in-law, Richard Downing; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Vlasak; a granddaughter, Erin Tomlinson; a grandson-in-law, Roger Matson Jr.; and her siblings, Dora Thonesen, Mildred Wille, Ada Johnson, Alma Buchal, Harry Thonesen and Earl Thonesen.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at the United Methodist Church in Elroy, with Rev. Jill Nowlen officiating. Burial will be in the Elroy City Cemetery. A time of visitation will be on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2–5 p.m. and at the church on Monday starting at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church in Elroy or the Kendall Public Library.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Hospice Touch in Tomah for their wonderful care provided to Esther.
The Picha Funeral Home in Elroy is assisting; for online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
