Marian M. Essner, of Kelso, Missouri, passed away Friday, Aug. 28 at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Aug. 14, 1926, to John and Christine Diebold Ressel.

Marian grew up on a farm just south of Kelso, where she worked with her family as a young girl. She attended school at St. Augustine Grade School in Kelso. At the age of 15, she went to work at Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau and later worked at Buckstein's clothing factory in Chaffee, Missouri, and the shoe factory in Cape Girardeau.

Marian and Raymond Essner of New Hamburg, Missouri, were married on July 8, 1947. From this union were born four sons and two daughters. Marian became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first son in 1950. In August 1964, Marian and Raymond purchased the Conoco Station in Kelso and operated it as Ray's Conoco until their retirement in 1984.

Marian spent her entire life in Kelso, where she was actively involved in St. Augustine Catholic Church. Marian had a green thumb, something she learned from her mother, and for many years took care of all the flower arrangements used at St. Augustine. After retiring, Marian and Raymond also spent many years delivering holy communion every Sunday to the Catholic residents of Fountainbleu Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

Although all of these activities were important to Marian, the most important thing in her life was her family. She was an excellent cook and loved hosting all of her children and grandchildren at her home every year at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas as long as she was able to.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond, and sons, Danny (Debbie) Essner and Doug (Leslie) Essner, all of Cape Girardeau, and David Essner and Dennis (Becky) Essner, both of Kelso; daughter, Donna (Chris) Scherer of Kelso; and brother, Jerome (Dorothy) Ressel of Cape Girardeau. She is also survived by grandchildren, Kasie (Josh) Irby, Nick Essner and Blake (Christina) Essner, all of Cape Girardeau, Brent (Malerie) Essner of Jackson, Christina Scherer, John Scherer and Paul Scherer, all of Kelso, and Kerri Essner of St Louis; great-grandsons, Brendan Essner of Jackson and Parker Essner of Cape Girardeau; and great-granddaughters, Maebry Essner of Jackson and Ellie Essner of Cape Girardeau.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Wilfred; sister, Norma; and an infant daughter, Theresa.

Due to Covid-19, visitation and funeral will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marian's name to St. Augustine School 211 South Messmer, P.O. Box 26 Kelso, MO 63758.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.