Esther Elaine Bagnall

Esther Elaine Bagnall, 88, of the Town of Jacksonport, was called Home to be with the Lord, Monday night, June 8, 2026 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born at home in the Town of Jackonsport on September 6, 1937, the daughter of Kurt Reinhold Scharrig and Elsie Cecelia (Krauser) Scharrig. Esther grew up attending Groveland School in the Town of Jacksonport and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baileys Harbor. She graduated from Sevastopol High School with the class of 1955.

Esther initially worked as a child care provider and housemaid for the Brabazon Mink Ranch in Sturgeon Bay. She then worked for the Pines Resort in Idlewild in the Town of Nasewaupee. Esther went on to study at the Metropolitan Automation School in Milwaukee, graduating from their program on September 2, 1966. While living in the Village of Bayside, on the northeast side of Milwaukee, she worked as a filing clerk for First National Bank. Esther went to work as a secretary for Globe-Union Inc. in Glendale.

She returned to Sturgeon Bay in 1964 and worked as an office manager for R.J. Peterson Plumbing & Heating Company until her marriage.

Esther had been blessed with four daughters: Pamela, Patty, Brenda, and Bonnie.

She married George Hector Bagnall on his 40th birthday on May 24, 1974 at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay where she remained a member throughout their life. The wedding took place later in the day, but for those who knew George, that wasn't surprising, as George was farmer and had to tend to the chores on the farm. Together, they resided on Bagnall Road in the Town of Jacksonport.

George adopted Esther's daughters. Sadly, Esther and George lost their son, George Phillipp in August of 1975, one day after he was born. They were blessed with a son, Timothy, in 1978.

Esther taught Sunday School at St. Peter's and also attended Bible study. Her faith provided a foundation for her life and that of her family's. Family meant the world to Esther, and Sundays also included family visits with her children. She loved to cook and bake and was known for her hot dishes as well as her sandwiches.

Esther's love will live on in the hearts of her children, Pamela (Steven) Krauel of the Town of Egg Harbor, Patty (Richard) Birnschein of the Town of Sevastopol, Brenda Bagnall-Gonion, Bonnie Bagnall, both of the Town of Jacksonport, and Timothy (Dana) Bagnall of Green Bay; grandchildren, Kurt (Nicole) Krauel and Kyle (Lainey) Krauel and Stacy Basten and Kevin Birnschein; two step-grandsons, Hunter and Austyn; five great granddaughters, six step-great-grandchildren; seven step-great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary Haen of Sturgeon Bay, Ruth Berndt of the Town of Jacksonport, Alvin (Diane) Scharrig of the Town of Jacksonport; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Elizabeth "Betty"; husband; infant son, George Phillipp Bagnall, Jr.; son-in-law, John Gonion; grandson-in-law, Craig Basten; sisters, Helen (Roy) Clemens and Alice (Frederick "Fritz") Merkle; siblings-in-law, Glenn (Mary Ellen) Bagnall, Ronald Berndt, and Clayton "Jr" Haen; and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026 at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church, 108 W. Maple Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Pastor Joel Sauer officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, George and son, George Phillipp, in Lakeview Cemetery in the Town of Jacksonport.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.

Memorials may be given in Esther's name for St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church (108 W. Maple Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).

"Our family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses of Door County Medical Center for the wonderful care you gave to our mother."

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Esther may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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