Esther J. Wegner, age 97, of rural Merrill, passed away Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at her daughter Lorraine’s home under the loving care of family and hospice services.  Esther was born June 12, 1924, in Merrill, daughter of the late Arthur and Mamie (Lentz) Welch. She married Harold Wegner March 14, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. He preceded her in death on January 30, 2016. Esther attended teachers’ college and had taught at the former Leafy Grove School in the early 1940’s. After her marriage, Esther and Harold dairy farmed in the town of Corning. Later, the couple owned and operated a bus service and Esther became a contracted bus driver for the Merrill Area Public Schools. Esther was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Corning, where she was a Bible School teacher and was a member of the Ladies League. Esther enjoyed teaching, gardening, farming, and making maple syrup.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Harriet Wegner of DuPont, Washington and Lorraine Prebeg of Merrill; six grandchildren, Dan Prebeg, Matthew (Jessica) Prebeg, Michael (Amy) Prebeg, Brent (Jennifer) Waldrop, Rebecca (Jason) Barrett, and Brian Waldrop; thirteen great grandchildren, Allison (spouse, Dakota), Ashley, Tristen, Izabella, Alyssa, Noah, Elijah, Samantha, Mark, Lucas, Olivia, Annie, and Jace; one great great grandchild, Lincoln; and a sister, Darlene ‘Mitzi’ Wolf. Besides her parents and husband, Esther is preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Claire; and five siblings, Dorothy Wegner, Essie Fay Vandre, Caroline Vandre, and Arthur and Dewey Welch.

The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Corning. The Rev. Joel Danner will officiate.  Burial will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, town of Corning. Due to several family commitments, the visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 16^th at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again after 9:00 AM on Saturday, December 18^th at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.  THE FAMILY OF ESTHER WEGNER REQUESTS THAT MEMORIALS BE DIRECTED TO THE WISCONSIN VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OR IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH.