Post Messenger Recorder -

Esther Burkhardt, age 89, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017, at Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. in Fitchburg. She was born on May 31, 1928, in Fond du Lac, WI, to her parents, John and Katherine (Popp) Barthuly.

Esther graduated from Cleveland High School in Fond du Lac. On October 1, 1949, she was united in marriage to Herman J. Burkhardt at the Church of Peace in Fond du Lac. Esther operated an in-home day care for over 25 years, touching the lives of many families. She was a great cook and avid sports fan. Her family was very important to her and she loved to watch her grandchildren compete in sports.

Esther is survived by her husband of 67 years, Herman; sons, Terry (Marcia), Duane (Jenny), Kenneth (Denise), Brian (Tami) and Paul (Debi); grandchildren, Tim, Brad, Jamie, Tina, Dan, Amy, Jackie, Paul David, Ashley, Jessi and Nikki; and seven great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her brothers, Walter (Pat) Barthuly and Herbert (Delores) Barthuly; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Nathalie Hunt and Dorothy Zwicky; brothers, Otto, Alex and John; and a great-granddaughter, Lily Anne.

Per Esther's wishes, private family services will be held. Inurnment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Madison, WI.

A memorial fund has been established.

The Becker-Beal Funeral Home of Belleville is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the physicians and staffs of Meriter Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. for their kind and compassionate care given to mom.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.