John Alden Esler passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. He was 83.

Born in the summer of 1942, John grew up in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, where he revealed early on that he was a man of many dimensions. At Kaukauna High School, he excelled on the football field and also found a natural ease on the stage in school theater, a fitting combination for a young man who would one day command rooms not with volume, but with quiet authority and genuine presence.

John earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and was the most fervent Badger fan you’d ever come across. He returned home to practice law alongside his father, John "Jack" Esler, at Esler & Esler, Attorneys at Law, where they guided families through life's most personal and consequential moments. He later joined McCarty, Curry, Wydeven & Peters, focusing on estate planning and real estate law. In every chapter of his career, he honored the trust placed in him, bringing rigor, thoughtfulness, and care to each client he served.

John’s proudest and most enduring legacy was his family. He shared 64 years of unconditional love and unwavering devotion with his soulmate, Valerie Dyer, whom he met on Christmas Day in 1960 at the age of 17. They went on to marry on June 27, 1965. John is survived by his three devoted children: David Esler of San Francisco, Sarah Esler Pearsall (Alex Pearsall) of Chicago, and Rebecca Esler (Gary Resch) of New York City, whom he loved equally and wisely, yet somehow made each feel like the favorite. His love extended to his cherished grandchildren: Sean Esler, Liam Esler, Lauren Pearsall, Reid Pearsall, Alden Resch, Isaac Resch, and Declan Resch who lovingly called him Papa.

John was deeply proud of his Norwegian heritage, often signing off his emails with “The Viking”. He shared a rare and remarkable closeness with his parents, Jack Esler and Helida Esler, having lunch with them nearly every day. His relationships with his many aunts and uncles and cousins were equally cherished. To John, family was not an obligation, it was a calling. He was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie, brother, Paul Esler, and his sister, Karen Aldinger. He is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Esler.

Those who knew John will remember a thoughtful, warm-hearted, and deeply loving man. He was the kind of person who showed up for others in moments of celebration, but more importantly, in times of struggle. He listened more than he spoke, and when he did, he seemed to say exactly the right thing, making others feel heard, understood, and valued. Principled and measured, he was guided by a steady sense of what was right rather than what was easy.

Deeply curious, John was a lifelong learner, always open to new ideas and perspectives. He also had a clever sense of humor and was a subtle, practical joker with a touch of dry wit that surfaced at just the right moment, often catching people off guard and leaving them laughing.

John loved deeply, and lived with rare integrity. He approached every stage of life with the same open mind and eager heart he carried since boyhood, always learning, always growing, always becoming. He made the work of a good life look effortless, and in doing so, inspired those around him to be better: better friends, better spouses, better parents.

He will be profoundly missed and gratefully remembered.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Thursday, June 25, at The Hillside Venue at Plamann Park. The gathering will begin at 5:00 p.m., with eulogies to follow at 6:00 p.m.