Esther M. Reetz

Esther Miriam (née Olson) Reetz passed away on December 6, 2018 at the age of 93 at the Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center where she resided the past 2 years.
Esther was born on May 8, 1925 to George and Barbara (née Kuranz) Olson in Holcombe, Wisconsin. Her family later moved to Bloomer where she married Louis Reetz on January 14, 1947, residing there until she moved to Colfax in 2016.
Esther was a lifelong housewife raising their five children, while also filling a variety of temporary and part-time jobs throughout the years. Esther was an avid cook, sewer and quilting aficionado. These avocations would serve her, her family and friends for many decades. She was well regarded for these talents. Esther also loved the competition of a good card game. Whether it was 500 or Kings Corner, whether her competition was her children, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren, Esther always played to win!
Esther was a loyal fan of many Wisconsin sports teams. She religiously watched Brewer baseball games during the spring, summer and fall, filling in the winter months with Packer games, mostly because there was no baseball on TV November through January.
Esther was preceded in death by: her parents, husband, a daughter, Kathleen Reetz, a grandson Michael Olson, and great-granddaughter Avalon Marilee Reetz; her siblings George (Millie) Olson, Lucy Mae Olson, Robert Olson, Oliver (Melvina) Olson, Orelin (Jean) Olson, Leona (Raymond) Berg, Bobbie Ann (Buck) DeLonge, Caroline (Wayne) Lange, and John (Shirley) Olson.
Esther is survived by her four children, Barbara Reetz of Wausau, Louis (Judy) Reetz of Sand Creek, John (Carla) Reetz of Antigo and Mary (Mark) Payne of Jim Falls. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Errin Olson of Wausau, Wendy Olson of Hatley, Nicole (Jason) Teske of Wausau, Tracey (Dave) Cowley of Black River Falls, Stephanie (Ben) Moerke of Chippewa Falls, Cory (Jennifer) Reetz of Antigo, Cristy Reetz of Minneapolis, Melissa Reetz (special friend Josef Forsythe) of Middleton and 8 great-grandsons, Trey, Brooks, Reese, Nathan, Joshua, Theoden, Zander and Greyson. She also leaves behind four step-grandchildren; Jannelle (Jeff) Wolf, Jamie Bowe, John (Jacquelyn) Welch, Jake Welch and five step-great-grandchildren. Esther was especially close to two of her nieces, Jeanne (Virgil) Prehn of Springfield, Virginia and Patricia (Butch) Crain of Chicago, Illinois. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and cousins in the Olson and Reetz families, as well as a special friend, Lori Clark, caretaker of Esther’s dog, Andy, when she could no longer care for him.
Esther’s hallmarks were her strong constitution and relentless (some might say stubborn) persistence in living life fully and meeting life’s challenges head-on. She was an engaging personality to those who met her in all stages of her life.
Funeral services will be held in St. Paul Catholic Church in Bloomer on Saturday, December 15th at 11:00am, Deacon Dick Kostner, officiant. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00am. Olson Funeral Home of Bloomer is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com
Esther’s family would like to thank the kind and caring staff of the Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center for their spirited caregiving while Esther was a resident, a special nod of gratitude to those who threaded Esther’s needles for her when she needed it. She enjoyed trading zingers with the CH&RC staff who playfully zinged her in kind. We also want to thank Jaime and Gina of St. Croix Hospice for their unwavering commitment to provide comfort for our Mom in her final days.