Alice Essler

Alice V. Essler, age 65 of Melrose, died Saturday, September 4, 2004 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Rev. Vince Lieser will officiate with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Alice Essler was born on December 28, 1938 in Moe Township, Douglas County, Minnesota to Alf and Verna (Sanders) Bjoralt. She attended school and resided in Alexandria. On October 24, 1959 she married Norbert Essler at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. The couple moved to Melrose in 1960 and she was employed at Jennie-O Foods until 1966. After raising her family she went back to work at Jennie-O Foods from 1982 until 1991. For the past two years she had resided at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She enjoyed embroidery and watching television.

Survivors include her husband, Norbert Essler of Melrose; four children, Donna (Ed) Daley of Brooklyn Park, Richard Essler, Marie (Jeff) Wensman and Sharon Essler, all of Melrose; five grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Ruby (Ed) Nelson, Marvin Bjoralt and Shirley (Marvin) Rosholt, all of Minneapolis, Mary Ann (Dan) Russell of Kensington, David Bjoralt of Garfield and Donald (Paula) Bjoralt of Duluth.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Sherlin Bjoralt.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mike, Mark and Josh Hollenkamp, Steve, Jimmy and Butch Anderson. Cross bearer will be Josh Kramer and scripture bearer will be Lois Lashinski.