Vivian J. Kesterke

Vivian J. Kesterke, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away, Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 16, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church, 4333 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, with Rev. Martin Measel officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph.  Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, the Humane Society of SW Michigan or Hanson Hospice Center.  Those wishing to sign Vivian’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.    Vivian was born January 6, 1935 in Galien, Michigan to Ernest & Emma (Schultz) Glaske. She graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 as a Registered Nurse and worked at Mercy Hospital for several years.  She gained employment with Dr. O’Toole in Benton Harbor.  Dr. David Cook joined the business and later became owner and it evolved into Great Lakes Eye Care, from where Vivian retired after many years.  On February 9, 1957 she married Donald Kesterke in Sawyer, Michigan.  Vivian was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and was an avid Notre Dame fan.  Vivian is survived by her husband Donald; her sister Barbara Rodgers of St. Joseph; a sisters-in-law Delores Glaske of Three Oaks and Leona Cutter of Benton Harbor; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Jill Kesterke in 1959, brothers Eldon & Leo Glaske, sisters Erma Chisholm & Jeanette Sparks-Slosson, twin infant siblings-Harold & Ruth Glaske, brothers-in-law-John Slosson, Warren Rodgers, Edward Kesterke, James Sparks, sisters-in-law-Margaret Glaske & Marian Mosher.