Obituary - Posted: 4/26/07
James Richard Esse
James Richard Esse, age 80 of Spring Grove, died Sunday, April 22, at Regina Medical Center in Hastings, Minn.
He was born Feb. 5, 1927 in Albert Lea, to Bernhard and Minnie (Berg) Esse.
He was a 1945 Northwood, IA High School graduate, and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a teaching degree.
On December 28, 1950 he married Harriet Fritz at First Lutheran Church in Northwood, Iowa.
Esse taught high school math from 1950-1954 at Lake Mills High School, from 1954-1960 at St. James High School, and for 25 years at Palo Alto, Calif. He retired in 1986.
In June of 2005 Jim and Harriet moved to Spring Grove. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, and past members Grace Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, Calif.
Survivors include Jimís wife Harriet Esse of Spring Grove, four sons Loren (Cathryn) of Des Moines, Iowa, Steven (Patricia) of Lincoln, Calif, Jon (Lynnette) of Warrenton, Va and Alan (Jane) of Pickering, England, one daughter Carolyn Olson of Spring Grove, and her special friend Dan Hartert, 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a sister Lois Kohler of Albert Lea.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Spencer Olson, his brothers, Lester, and Paul, and his sisters Beryl and Ruth.
Memorial services will be held Friday, April 27, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove at 11 a.m.
Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove.
The family requests memorials be given to the Alzheimers Association or Luther College.
Caledonia Argus
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