Christian Roman Esser
March 31, 1948 ~ November 3, 2022
Born in:
Redfield , SD
Resided in:
Fargo, ND
Christian (“Chris”) Roman Esser passed away on November 3rd, 2022, surrounded by family. Chris was born on March 31st, 1948 to Roman and Theresa Esser. He was raised on a farm near Redfield, South Dakota where he attended country school and Redfield High School. He graduated from high school in 1966 and attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND from 1966 to 1970. While in high school and college, he competed in football, wrestling, and track, excelling in all and receiving many honors. He was a proud Redfield Pheasant and Jamestown Jimmie.
Chris married Peggy Brosnan in 1972 and they made their home in Redfield, SD. Chris taught at the state hospital in Redfield for a couple of years and at Redfield High School. He taught special education and vocational rehabilitation. He also coached football, wrestling, and track. He was able to coach football with his brother, Fran, and wrestling with his brothers, Fran and Mike. The three brothers built a highly reputable wrestling program that achieved great success over the years. While Chris enjoyed the wins, he was most proud of the positive impact he was able to make on his athletes through coaching.
In 1986, his daughter, Christine, was born. Chris, Peggy, and Christine began a new life in Fargo, ND in 1989. They have many wonderful memories and friends in both Redfield and Fargo. While in Fargo, Chris and Peggy built a cleaning company that operated for a number of years. Chris eventually returned to the vocational rehabilitation field, working for Community Living Services in Fargo until he retired.
During his retired years, Chris began gardening and doing many home projects, as well as being an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Chris loved the NDSU Bison football team, proudly wearing their colors in support. He loved helping his daughter and son-in-law with different home projects in the fall and winter time and gardening in the spring and summer. Chris would donate all of the produce from his garden to the local food pantry each year. This year alone he donated over 5,600 pounds of produce.
Chris loved his family with his whole heart. His wife, Peggy, was his best friend. He was so proud of his daughter, Christine. He loved watching her grow into the person she is today, always cheering her on in sports and life. He loved doing house projects and talking sports and politics with his son-in-law, Andy.
Chris was a teacher and mentor, a devout Catholic, and a friend to all. Chris always had wisdom to share and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Chris was a very giving and generous man, only asking that others pay it forward.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Theresa Esser; his sister, Anna Simbeck; and his brother, Michael Esser. Chris is survived by his wife, Peggy Esser; his daughter, Christine (Andy) Johnson; and his brothers, Fran (Carol) Esser, Jim (Jean) Esser, Bill Esser, and Leo Esser.
Services
Visitation - Thursday: November 10, 2022 6:00 pm
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Prayer Service - Thursday: November 10, 2022 7:00 pm
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Visitation - Friday: November 11, 2022 1:00 pm
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Funeral Mass - Friday: November 11, 2022 2:00 pm
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
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Our hearts are breaking for you all. We were so blessed to call Chris “friend”! His stories were epic and his laugh contagious! All our love and prayers to you all during this trying and sad time. He is with his Lord now and awaiting the great reunion in heaven.
You have our sympathy and prayers
Chris was a great guy. Always helping a follow gardener with his knowledge of growing vegetables. The food pantry will need others to step up. Pam and Rick Burchill
Chris is my friend, and he always made me feel like another of the Esser brothers. My association started with Chris started in 1968. As a “green freshman” football teammate he made me feel immediately like part of the Jimmie team and family. I will never forget his kindness and compassion. His greatness on the field and the mat never affected his level-headed attitude, and personality. Although our careers took other paths, whenever we gathered, it was like “old home days”. God Speed my friend. We will see you soon.
Rest In Peace old friend. Chris was a great guy and a wonderful teammate! I have enjoyed reconnecting at our reunions the past few years.
Peg, Christine and the whole Esser clan; sending our sincere sympathies for your loss. Chris was a wonderful gentleman. I have so may dear and precious memories, I cannot begin to name them all. Know the Marzahns mourn with you. I’m sure there is a game of cards going on with lots of laughter. Love you all. Until we meet again, dear friend.
My condolences to the Esser family
So sorry to hear of Chris’ passing. May he rest in the arms of our Lord.
Sending thoughts and prayers to you all!
Karen(Swanson) Walz
Our family sends heartfelt condolences to the entire Esser family.
My deepest sympathy ..
Chris was a good man, he will be missed.
Terry and I send our love to Peggy and family.
Had the great pleasure of knowing Chris in our Redfield days,always fun to chat with Chris and will miss him.
Deepest sympathies extended to his entire family 🙏🏻
Sincere Sympathy to the Esser Family.
My Thoughts and Prayers r with u today and in the days to come. 🙏🙏🙏🙏.
Peggy and Christine, you have our deepest sympathy. I remember teaching Christine at Nativity School and meeting Chris and Peggy as her parents. I met Chis at Jamestown College, now University of Jamestown, as he played football and was on the wrestling team. May the memories and love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead.
Ron and Devonne Markwardt
I had the joy of working with Chris at CLS; he was such a kind, caring person. He really made a difference in peoples’ lives. My condolences to the Esser family.
Joe and Samantha Kaufman, will miss Chris we were all like brothers when we were growing up, and still feels that way today. We’ll miss him, I’ll bet Tres and Roman are happy to see him.
So sorry to hear of the passing of our dear Chris! My most heartfelt sympathy to Peggy, Christine, Andy and the Esser family! As everyone knows, Chris was in a class of his own, admired by every person to ever know him.
When I received the news of Chris’ passing my heart sank. I attended Jamestown University from 1967 to 1971 with Chris and his younger brother Fran. We all lived on campus in Watson Hall. Chris was one of the good ones. My condolences to his wife Peggy and his daughter and to his brother Fran who I was lucky enough to call a friend.
Such a shock to hear this. I got to know him when he started working at CLS. What a great man who was truly a gift to those who knew him. What a small world too! We both grew up in SD so I heard many stories from there as we knew some of the same people. You could never have a quick chat with him as he would always start to share one of his many stories. He’ll be missed greatly by so many. Thoughts to you Esser family.
So sorry to here of Chris’s passing. Our condolences to Peg & family. I was a teammate to Chris at Jamestown College & he was a groomsman in our wedding. He will be missed by many.
Sincerely,
John & Linda Backhaus
I know Chris through work from CLS . Oh my Great God this news Brook my heart. Chris was such nice guy that I enjoyed talking to him. That was a honor to workwith Chris. The last time I saw him was at MAC store in Fargo or Avon part hall for Jim’s retirement party.I miss him very much and my condolences to Chris’s family.
Rest easy, Cousin.
Chris was a friend from the day we arrived at Jamestown College for Freshman football. Chris was the left guard playing next to me for four years. Oh the football stories. What a gentleman and friend. Chris was one of the good ones. A man you could count on to be there when needed. Rest in peace my friend.
I am so sorry for your loss. Chris and I used to share a short greeting right around 1 AM at Our Lady of Guadelupe adoration chapel, as he was leaving and I was coming. He had a beautiful soul, and I will miss those short encounters with a very wonderful man. I can be sure that his prayers are continuing.
Peggy, Christine, Andy, Carol, Fran, Jean, Jim, Bill, Leo, and your families, We were sorry to hear that Chris had passed away. I remember hearing that he was a good special education teacher and coach at Redfield Public School. We believe Chris is with our Lord and all of our loved ones in heaven. With heartfelt sympathy, Carmen & Ruben Lapp
May he rest in piece in the presence of the Lord.