Esther G. Budde, age 91 of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 10, 2011 at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam.

Esther was born on January 18, 1920 in Beaver Dam to Edward J. and Theresa (nee Geissinger) Maier.
She graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1937 and was united in marriage to Henry S. Budde on June 15, 1939 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Beaver Dam. Esther was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Beaver Dam and the Christian Mothers Society.

Esther is survived by her children, Kathryn (James) Utrie, Henry (Judy) Budde, David (Barbara) Budde, Steven (Louise) Budde, Philip (fiancée Margaret Guell) Budde, Louise (Leslie) Zieske, Raymond (Marge) Budde, Susan (Thomas) Frye, Peter (Cindy) Budde and Amy (Jeff) Roach; 28 grandchildren, many great and great-great grandchildren; her brother, Reinhold "Reiny" Maier; her sister Phyllis Schutte; sister-in-law Bernadine Budde along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Henry S. Budde; her daughter-in-law, Shari Budde; her sisters, Isabelle Budde and Theresa Hoch; her brother, Frank Maier along with other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Esther will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 511 S. Spring St. in Beaver Dam. Visitation will be held on Thursday prior to the Mass at church, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Esther will be laid to rest at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Beaver Dam and a luncheon will follow at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam.

Memorials may be directed to St. Katharine Drexel School.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hillside Manor and Hillside Hospice for the loving care shown to their mother during her stay.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.