Obituary: Esther Ruth Pierzchalski

Esther Ruth Pierzchalski, 82, of the Town of Egg Harbor, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 16, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society – Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

She was born Sept. 24, 1935 in Milwaukee, the daughter of the late Ignatius Jacob Pierzchalski and Irene Eleanor (Kostka) Pierzchalski. The family operated a mink ranch in Fifield, Wis., beginning in 1937, a tradition that continued in Sturgeon Bay when they moved here in 1941. Esther attended St. Joseph Grade School and Sturgeon Bay High School. Following high school, she helped her family at their mink ranch and orchard (Third Avenue) near Little Lake, before the family moved the business near Egg Harbor. Esther worked for the Milwaukee Shoe Company and Bay Shipbuilding Co. (in security) until her retirement. During that time, she worked for Door County Confectionery.

Esther was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Egg Harbor (now Stella Maris Parish-Egg Harbor site). She loved animals, especially her dogs, and she also loved chocolate. In earlier years, Esther enjoyed bowling, being outdoors and deer hunting, taking trips to White Lake to go fishing, snowmobiling, and visiting the Oneida Casino. She also collected cookbooks and enjoyed cooking. Esther had a wonderful sense of humor. She was outgoing and could enter a room full of strangers and leave as their friend and was thankful for her dear “girlfriends.”

Esther is survived by her nephews and nieces and their families, John (Jackie) Pierzchalski, Jr., Susan (Randy) Pallex, Diane (Gordon) Carmody, Jeff Pierzchalski, Kathy (Bouchonville) Rich, Patty (David) Targett, Matt (Rose) Bouchonville, Andy (Evelyn) Bouchonville, Mary Rich, and Philip (Dawn) Bouchonville; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother, Dorothy (Ray) Bouchonville and John (Carolyn) Pierzchalski, Sr.; nephews and nieces, Steven Pierzchalski, David Pierzchalski, Michael Bouchonville, Mark Bouchonville, Paul Bouchonville I, Sonja Schuster, and Denise Bissen.

A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 at Stella Maris Parish-Egg Harbor site with Fr. David Ruby as celebrant. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 at Stella Maris Parish-Egg Harbor site from 10 am until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated.

Huehns Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Pierzchalski family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Esther may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.