Esther Kirchner, 91, of Hudson, Wis., passed away on July 17, 2024 due to complications after heart surgery. She was born Sept. 24, 1932 to William and Anne (Cotter) Kirchner and was the fifth of 13 children in the family. She spent her childhood living in the Prescott and River Falls area. She graduated from Prescott High School in 1950. She later moved to St. Paul, Minn., where she worked as a key punch operator.
She moved back to River Falls in 1976 to care for her parents with her daughter, Gina. She was an active member of St. Bridget Catholic Church.
She retired from Ramsey County Human Services after over 30 years of service. She spent her retirement years in Mesa, Ariz. where she met the love of her life, Al Mechem. They were together over 20 years before his death in 2021. They spent their days with friends socializing, dancing, and playing cards. She moved to Wintergreen Apartments in 2021 where she enjoyed meeting new friends. She was an avid card player and loved helping others.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Gina and Erik Paulson; her beloved grandchildren Mikenna, Braden and Keenan Mork; Ryley, Anders, Ethan and Bjorn Paulson; siblings, Helen Fasbender and Jim Kirchner; brother-in-law, LeRoy Peterson; and sister-in-law, Christine Kirchner; along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
She is preceded in death by her partner, Al Mechem; parents, Bill and Anne Kirchner; siblings Bill (Isabel), Chuck, John (Charlotte), Raymond, Ruth and Charlene Kirchner, Mary Alice Peterson, Agnes (Howard) Johnson, Katey (Claude) Pace, Inez (Joe) Baker, and Merlin Fasbender.
Esther was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend and will be missing by everyone she touched with her kind spirit.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Donations can be made in her name to St. Bridget Church or St. Patrick Church.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Saint Bridget Catholic Church (211 E. Division St., River Falls, WI 54022) with visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Prescott, Wis. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
