Esther M. Falcone, 92, died peacefully at the Minnesota Masonic Home on May 13, 2017, where she lived close to her eldest daughter for over five years after suffering a stroke in 2011.
Esther is survived by her children, Mary (Erik) Prentnieks, Dorothy McPhaul, Maureen (Gary) Sagui, and Martin (Patricia) Schmitz; her grandchildren, Martin Schmitz, Jr., Alison Schmitz Aubuchon, Anne Prentnieks, Nicole Rivera and Jane Sagui; her five great grandchildren; her stepchildren, Roberta (John) Steinbrink, Patricia (Bill) Evans, and Gary (Sandra) Falcone; and her sisters, Jean (Wayne) Knutson and Florence (Rudy) Russo.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Fiore and Leondina Martino; her husband, Anthony Falcone; her former husband, Harold Schmitz, the father of her children; her son, Douglas (Anne) Schmitz; and her brother, Palmer Martino.
Esther grew up in Kenosha and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1942. After high school, Esther graduated from the Marinello System of Beauty Culture in Chicago, Ill. She then opened Esther's Beauty Salon which she operated until 86 years of age, first on 54th Street, and then on Green Bay Road. Throughout the years, Esther employed a number of beauticians who became part of her extended family. Later in her career, in addition to being a beautician she became an electrologist and an instructor of electrolysis.
She loved sewing, knitting, cooking, swimming and spending time with family and friends. Esther will be most remembered for her kindness to friends, optimism, drive, and passion for her work. She loved running her business and felt that she never had to work a day in her life. For her it was play.
Esther was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii Parish and its Alter Society. She was a member of the Italian American Society of Kenosha, where prior to her stroke she received Mother of the Year Award.
The family extends a special thanks to the staff at the Minnesota Masonic Home for the good care provided to Esther.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 1, at Holy Rosary Church, 2224-45th Street, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. George Cemetery. Memorials to Holy Rosary Catholic Church would be appreciated by the family.