Esyher Buttke

Esther F. Buttke, 94, formerly of Mequon, died of complications of a stroke Thursday, Oct. 25, at Ellen’s Home in Port Washington.

“She was a very sweet lady her whole life. Even after her stroke, the doctors would comment on how nice she was,” her son Ron said.

Mrs. Buttke was born in Milwaukee on Feb. 13, 1924, to Edward and Clara Mueller Dorow.  

In 1944, she graduated from Milwaukee Girls Technical High School.

On June 15, 1946, she married Donald Buttke at St. Martini Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. After a few years, the couple moved to Mequon.

Mr. Buttke preceded his wife in death in September 1984.

Her family said she was a proud homemaker who raised three children. She was a cook at Homestead High School, Oriole Elementary School and Donges Bay Elementary School, all in Mequon, until her retirement in 1989.  

Mrs. Buttke was an active member at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Mequon, where she was involved in the Altar Guild, Ladies Guild, nursery and vacation Bible school.

In her later years, she moved to Cedarburg to be with her daughter and then relocated to Port Washington several years ago.

Mrs. Buttke is survived by her children Ron (Joy) of Sturtevant, Glenn (Karin) of Jackson and Cindy (Jeff) Niedfeldt of Forsyth, Mo.; grandchildren Michelle, Jason, Donnie, Nicole, Dawn, Brian, Rachel and Alex, and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald; and siblings Elroy, Lorraine Stade, Kenneth, Bobby, Edward, Irvin and Dorothy Fell.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Mequon. The Rev. Philip Hillenbrand officiated.

Interment was at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield.

Memorials to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church are suggested.

Poole Funeral Home, Port Washington, handled the arrangements.