Esther T. Hardke

Esther Hardke, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away on July 28, 2005, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. There will be a family memorial service held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Kerley-Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Esther was born on December 19, 1920, in Bainbridge Township the daughter of Edward and Rosalia (Krickhahn) Lull Sr. Esther worked with her family on their fruit farm for many years. She graduated from Watervliet High School and went on to beauty school, and served the community as a beautician for many years. Esther was married to Leonard Hardke for 44 years. Together they owned and operated a charter fishing boat, The Snowbird, during their retirement years. She also worked as a volunteer for Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor and Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph. Esther was a member of Kappa-Theta-Chi Sorority. She enjoyed the lake, perch fishing, birds, working in her yard, and was an avid vegetable gardener. Esther had a strong, independent spirit and enjoyed laughter. Her true joys in her life were her sons and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed and forever loved by her family. She spent the last few months of her life at Coventry House, a place that she considered her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Hardke, her sister, Ruth `Boots’ Radecki, and her brothers ? Edward Lull Jr. and Emmanuel “Manny” Lull. Esther is survived by her sons, Gary (Kathleen) Hardke, of San Diego, California and Gregory (Teri) Hardke, of New Port Beach, California; grandchildren, Stacey Hardke, Scott Hardke, and Matthew Hardke; and her nieces.