Sadie M. Esser

Sadie M. Esser, NEE Crackel, 98 , of Washington, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on July 4, 2020.

Sadie was born to the late Walter and Bertha Crackel on October 30, 1921 in Clay City, IL. She graduated from Clay City High School in 1939. She went on to enter the DePaul School of Nursing and graduated as an R.N. in 1942. Sadie worked at Salem Memorial Hospital then moved to Los Angeles, CA with a girlfriend where she worked and lived for a year. Upon returning home in 1945, she joined the Army Nurse Corp and was stationed at Mayo General Army Hospital in Galesburg, IL where she cared for wounded soldiers. After the war was over in 1946, she met her future husband “Bo” Esser who served in the Navy from 1943-1946. During the next year she worked as a private duty nurse in area hospitals. On June 26, 1947 Bo and Sadie were married at St. Francis Borgia Church in Washington.

She worked at St. Francis Hospital until the birth of their first daughter. Her nursing career later included working 9 years at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and volunteering at St. Francis Hospital in Washington as an RN in the GI Lab.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband extensively in the states and abroad. Over her lifetime she cultivated many treasured friendships. She was involved in the Carlyle Sailing club, a “sewing” club, and in more recent years a card club and senior line dancing. Sadie was a member of the American Legion, Washington Historical Society, and the ECC Patrons of the Arts.

Mrs. Esser was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, Bernard “Bo” Esser; son, Glen A. Esser; granddaughter, Stacey Copeland; sister, Rowena Miller and brother, Ray Crackel.

Sadie is survived by three daughters, Janice Esser of Springfield, MO, Judy Copeland and husband Terry of Union, and Jane Montgomery and husband Marty of St. Louis; five grandchildren, Rebecca Copeland, Laura Bockhorst, and Andrew, Marcus, and Tara Montgomery; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kirsten, Connor, Carter, Aiden, and Hendrix; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, 1206 Jefferson St., Washington, MO, with the funeral service beginning at 12:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Glen Esser Memorial Scholarship fund, C/O East Central College Foundation, 1964 Prairie Dell Rd., Union, MO 63084.

The family has requested that anyone attending the visitation or the funeral service, to please wear a protective face covering.

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