Clarice Cotter

Clarice M. Cotter, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend to so many, passed away after a life well lived and loved on Thursday, October 19, 2017 surrounded by her family. Clarice had a smile that captured a room, a passion for life that was expressed daily in actions and words and a heart that touched deep within the souls of those who knew her and those who heard tales of her. Born to Henry and Clara Esselman in Athens, WI on August 11, 1927, Clarice moved to Montello when she was just a few weeks old and lived in Montello her entire life. Clarice graduated from Montello High School in 1945. She started working for Marquette County as a court reporter right after graduation. She worked for Marquette County until she quit shortly after her 80th birthday. She received many accolades for her service to the county, including certificates from Governors Tommy Thompson, Jim Doyle and Scott Walker. Clarice married William "Bill" Cotter on June 30, 1947. They had four children: Pat, Mike, Tom and Mary. Although very uncommon at the time, Clarice balanced a full-time job, parenting four children and they owned the Town Pump until 1983. Patrons from near and far knew the Town Pump as the friendly place in Montello for a cocktail (with carpeted walls). Starting in the 1970s, many grandchildren entered her life. She was also blessed to enjoy many fun moments more recently with her great-grandchildren. Clarice was a lifelong member of St. John's Catholic Church. She donated to nearly every charitable cause in Montello and beyond. She made anonymous donations so high schoolers could go on class trips, secretly funded child cancer research and lead a life of stewardship with strong Christian values. Most of all Clarice loved people and company. She enjoyed conversations with family and friends at her kitchen counter. A glass of White Zinfandel and an offering of beverages to her guests would lead to solving most of the world's problems. Many of those conversations lasted well into the evening and sometimes into the next morning. Some of best memories of her life took place at that kitchen counter. Clarice would not want you to be sad to hear of her passing. She would hope that her life would be an inspiration to others. A life of giving. A life spent with family. A life dedicated to community. But, most of all, a life spent enjoying each other with a comforting chat around the kitchen counter. Clarice is survived by four children: Patrick (Mary), Michael (Deloma), Tom (Linda) and Mary (Kevin) Soda and fourteen grandchildren as well as thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Arlene (Mel) Beaurain and sister-in-law, Ruth Esselman-Nielson as well as dear friends: Alice John and Shirley Procknow. Clarice is preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings: Ray Esselman, Fr. Al Esselman, Rosetta (Carrol) Rusch, Delores (Vern) Peroutky, Lucille (George) Ellinger, Bill Esselman and Hillard (Eleanor) Esselman and grandson-in-law, Jeremy Monnett as well as dear friend, Marcella Neilson Clarice would always walk her guests to the door and say "Nice you stopped on by!" We will never forget Clarice. A Mass of Christian Burial for Clarice Cotter will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 4:00 until 7:30 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello at 7:30 PM a Rosary Service will begin. Visitation will also be held at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 until 10:45 AM. Private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the family for a memorial that will be established in Clarice's name. The family would like to thank the staff at The Montello Care Center and Divine Savior Hospital and Residences on Forest Lane for their care and compassion. Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Rosary Service
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Visitation
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, October 25, 2017