Esther Berner

Esther L. Berner, 85, of Cross Plains passed away at 8:55 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2026 at her home. She was born near Fairview in Switzerland County on June 27, 1940, the daughter of Charles and Bertha Rump Knigga. She was married to Leon Berner on February 20, 1960 at St. Peters Lutheran Church at Bear Branch and he preceded her in death on August 22, 2015. Survivors include one son Michael (Linda) Berner of Cross Plains; two daughters Kathleen (Robert) Daugherty of Vevay and Debra Berner of Mooresville; 7 grandchildren Erica (Kyle) Bechman, Natalie (Josh) Wheeler, Kevin Berner, Jenna (Jason) Kaylor, Steven Berner, Ashley (Adam) Crafton, Dakota (Andre) Crafton, and 10 great-grandchildren Jesse, Easton, Addi, Bryce, Jackson, Everly, Logan, Ava, AJ, and Andre; sister-in-law Eileen Knigga of Tell City. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dilver Knigga. Mrs. Berner was a 1958 graduate of Vevay High School and she worked for several years at Dillsboro Manor and at the Silver Bell Nursing Home near Versailles. She enjoyed feeding her birds, gardening, and helping Leon on the farm. Esther was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dewberry for over 65 years where she participated in the Ladies Aid. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 2^nd at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dewberry with Pastor Jared Tucher officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 5p.m to 8 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to the church or cemetery in care of the funeral home.