Vinita Hazel Essen (Hawkins), age 86, of Osceola, Wisconsin, passed away Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at her residence at Willow Ridge Healthcare in Amery, Wisconsin.
Vinita was born on Sept. 21, 1940, in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, to Norman and Georgia (Leary) Hawkins. She attended six years of grade school at Oakview Country, then four years at Clear Lake, graduating in 1958. Shortly after high school, she married Donald Essen on March 28, 1959, and together they lived and farmed in Deronda, Wisconsin, for ten years. They had three children Kevin, Allen, Karilyn. After ten years of farming, they moved to Forest Lake, Minnesota. Vinita worked at Cardiac Pacemakers (now Boston Scientific) in Shoreview, Minnesota, until retiring in 2022. Vinita and Donald then moved to Plymouth, Minnesota, before going back to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. The two enjoyed traveling via bus tours until health problems set in.
Vinita was proceeded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald Essen; her parents, Norman and Georgia; her siblings, Ralph Hawkins, Vicky Fredrickson, Bonnie Schwann, and LaVern Hawkins; brothers-in-law, Roger Peterson, Martin Schwann, and Floyd Dodge; and sister-in-law, Delores Dodge.
She is survived by her children, Kevin (Julie) Essen, Al (Gail) Essen, and Karilyn (Kevin) Doehling; seven grandchildren, Jamie Essen (Tony Peltier), Nate Essen, James (Amber Zeeb) Essen, Allen Jr. Essen, Michelle (Ben) Lohse, Brittney (Dominick) Lonnnee, and Christopher (Brittny) Lundeen; 18 great-grandchildren, Jamison Peltier, Christian Peltier, Alec Peltier, Vayda Essen, Zoey Essen, Matthew Essen, MaryKate Essen, Michael Essen, Daniel Essen, Paisley Stemm, Austin Stemm, Rylie Lonnee, Bo Lonnee, Luke Lundeen, Olivia Lundeen, Katie Grawey, Tyler Grawey, and Anna Grawey; sisters, Darlene (Darrell) Emerson, Bette Peterson, and Diane (Art) Seager; and brother, Norman “Junior” Hawkins. Plus, many nieces, nephews, other extended family, and friends.
No public service will be held at this time, as this was Vinita’s wishes.
Arrangements with Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola, Wisconsin. Condolences may be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
