Esther Frieda Marie Marks, age 95, passed away February 2, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh after a short illness. She was born August 10, 1920, in the town of Rushford to John and Bertha (Pollex) Kratz. On June 3, 1942, Esther married Raymond Marks at Trinity Lutheran Church in Borth, and they celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in June 2015. Esther earned her teaching certificate at Oshkosh Normal and taught all of her married life at several schools including Alder Creek near Fremont, White School, Liberty School, Poy Sippi Grade School, and Omro Middle School until she retired in 1986. She said she knew she wanted to be a teacher even as a little girl. Esther loved teaching, cared about all of her students and enjoyed seeing them long after having them in school. Esther and Ray always enjoyed traveling and, after retirement especially, took many wonderful trips starting with a trip to Europe. Along with travel, Esther loved reading, playing cards, crossword puzzles, and spending time with family and friends. She cherished her family and always wanted to know what each one was doing, cheering each of us on every day, she taught us all so much. Esther was a long time active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Omro. Along with Ray, Esther will be dearly missed by her children, Gary (Paula) Marks, Winneconne; Eileen (Joe) Bonnett, Beaver Dam; Joan (Scott) Johnson, Knapp, Wisconsin; and Dale Marks, Omro; grandchildren, Jenny (Danny) Hunkin, Phoenix, Arizona; Ted (Gillian) King, Oshkosh; Candy (Dan) Cook, Oshkosh; Matt Marks, Oshkosh; Brian (Melinda) Bonnett, Terre Haute, Indiana; Courtney (Bob) Maher, Middleton; Jordan (Sarah) Bonnett, Oconomowoc; Tyson Hoeft, Menominee; and Carey (Jason) Anhorn, Eau Claire; great-grandchildren, Kendall and Jacob Hunkin, Braden and Declan King, Carissa Coats, Angela Bahr, Sean and Drew Cook, Nathan, Emma, Samuel, and Lucas Bonnett, Hadley, Aidyn, Lennon, and Beckett Maher, Owen and Emmett Bonnett, and Ivy Anhorn. Esther is also survived by her sisters, Helen Lee, Omro; Marie (Dick) Derber, Oshkosh; and Ruth (Clair) Retzlaff, Omro; brother-in-law, Norman Schneiter, Glenbeulah, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Althea Marks, Fond du Lac; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Along with her parents, Esther was also preceded in death by a brother, Louis Kratz; sisters, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, Louise and Clarence Wright, Lorraine Schneiter, Marion and Orin Retzlaff, Clarence Lee, Merlin Marks, Genevieve Marks, Walter, Sr. and Ethel Piotter; niece, Sandra Marks; and nephews, Neil Retzlaff and Walter Piotter Jr. A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, February 5, 2016, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, 904 E. Main St. Winneconne. Visitation will continue on Saturday, February 6 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church 720 Jackson Ave. Omro. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Richard Bartholomew officiating. Burial will be in the Borth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for Grace Lutheran Church, Omro in Esther's name has been established. If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.