Madison, WI.
Esther G. Woods, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2015 joining her eternal love, Bill, on their 71st wedding anniversary. She was born in Milwaukee on January 19, 1924, the only child of William and Lydia Glaser. Esther met her future husband, William (Bill) C. Woods, during her first year at Washington High School in Milwaukee. They were married in 1944 and enjoyed 63 years of an inspirational marriage. Esther earned her cosmetology degree and used her skills to support her husband and family while Bill was attending medical school. By the time he completed his education, they had four children and Esther quietly made certain they were well nurtured. The family moved to Delavan, WI, in 1953. Four more children were born there. Besides caring for their 8 children, Esther found time for her community getting involved with the Delavan Service League, St Andrew’s School library, Brownie Scouts, Milwaukee Symphony School Outreach Program and the Medical Auxiliary. She continued her education taking several library science courses at UW-Whitewater. She and Bill loved to golf, travel and read. She also enjoyed the beauty of nature, especially rocks and tree bark and would try to capture them in artistic endeavors. Esther is survived by her eight children Barbara (John) Olsen, Madison, WI and their children: Julie (Matt) Schroeder, Jen (Anil) Devnani, Jeff (Molly Walsh) Olsen and Jack (Anna ) Olsen; William Woods, Jr, Palatine, IL and his daughters, Sarah and Rebecca; Tom (Lona) Woods, Menasha, WI and their son, Justin; John Woods, MD (Sharon Ward), LaFayette, IN and his family, Jesse, Ariel and Alexia; Pat (Greg) Peyer, Westfield, WI and their family, Liz, Karissa, Erin and Zach; Kevin (Cyndy) Woods, Verona, WI and their sons, Brandon and Christopher; Deb (Paul) Pienkowski, Black Earth, WI and their family: Benjamin (JaLynne) Schmaling, Brittany (Gary Wallerus) Schmaling, Ethan Schmaling, Laura (Mark) Debish and Brianna Pienkowski; Lisa (Dave) Schabel, Germantown, WI and their children, Matt, Abby and Tim and the youngsters that Esther said made her great: Charlie and Audrey Olsen, Sam and Sadie Schroeder, Cedar and Kolsch Devnani and Anya, Ian, and Katarina Debish. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and an infant son. She will be truly missed but there is comfort in knowing she is with the love of her life. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, 714 E. Walworth Ave in Delavan, WI on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 with visitation starting at 10:30 am and a burial mass following at 11:30 am. Burial will be at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Delavan.
Donations in Esther Woods’s honor can be made to St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Delavan or Attic Angel Association in Middleton, WI. The family would like to thank the staff at Attic Angel Place for their dedication and excellent care in recent years and Agrace Hospice who ensured she was comfortable in her last days.
