Esther Marie Poage Wistrom

Esther Poage Wistrom, born on March 19, 1960, and a lifelong resident of Chicago, passed away October 21, 2025 at the age of 65. Esther was married to Carl Wistrom for 39 years and she adored her Carl.

She dedicated 35 years of her life to caring for others as a devoted nurse after earning her degree from North Park College. Esther will be remembered for her generous spirit, boundless compassion, and the love she showed to everyone she met. She had a special passion for antiquing—believing that the older something was, the more beautiful it became—and she never met an animal she wouldn’t try to save. Her kindness, warmth, and gentle heart touched countless lives, and she will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and all those fortunate enough to have known her.

Loving daughter to David H. Poage and the late Oceile Poage. Loving granddaughter to the late Ophelia Gertrude and Samuel Herbert Poage, and John Calvin (the late Mattie) Hall. Loving wife of 39 years to Carl H. Wistrom. Loving sister to Julie Mitschang, Jennifer (Michael) Perdue and Ruth (David) Gaines. Loving sister-in-law to Susan Casey. Proud aunt to the late David Mitschang, Joshua Perdue, Andrew Perdue, Amelia Perdue, Matthew (Robin) Nelson, Michael Nelson, and Kari Nelson.

Proud great aunt to Tyler (Isabel) Mitschang, Christina Mitschang, Natalie Smith, Joshua Smith II, and Nevaeh Smith. Great-great aunt to Eliana Mae Valderrama. Niece to the late Ann (the late Hank) Pillow, Stacy (Luray) Wilkinson, the late Olin (the late Mary Ann) Hall, the late Dell (Lois) Hall, the late Elva Mae (the late Lewis) Brannock, the late Buck (the late Sammie) Hall, the late Mary Lou (the late Curtis) White, and the late J.C. Hall.

Cousin to Joseph (Mary Cele) Pillow, Herbie (Wanda) Pillow, Butch Pillow, Debby (Rodney) Hamilton, Kathy (Tony) Stinnett, Mike Warren, the late Tim Warren, Beth (Karl) Mailand, Daniel (Teresa) Brannock, David (Christy) Brannock, Paul (Angie) Brannock, Cindi Bernart, Harriet Hall, the late Johnny Hall, Debbie (the late Cubbie) Christie, Sandy (Damon) Walker, Diane (Russell) Whitehurst, the late Scott Wilkinson, and David Wilkinson.

Memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 29th, at 11:00 AM at the Moody Church, 1635 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, IL. Memorial gifts can be given to the North Park University School of Nursing and Health Services, 3225 W. Foster, Chicago, IL, 60625.