Karen W. N. (Olson) Hardtke 1938-2014

HARDTKE, SELKE, OLSON, EICHMAN, SCHMELZER, ROLWES, SCHMITT, SHANNON, SABERS, SCHUELLER, STARK, KONKEL, DULEK, MISH, BURCE, MCCONNELL

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 11/2/2015 at 17:57:06

SHERRILL, Iowa - Karen W. N. Hardtke, 76, of Sherrill, passed away from Alzheimer's disease Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Luther Manor, surrounded by her family.

Services will be at 5 p.m. today at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Road, with the Rev. Kristian Kincaid officiating. Private burial will be in St. Matthew's Cemetery, Sherrill. Friends may greet the family from 2 to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Karen was born on April 23, 1938, in La Crosse, Wis., the daughter of Hector and Ida (Selke) Olson. She married Fred Hardtke on Aug. 10, 1957, in Winona, Minn.

She graduated from Winona High School and later attended Northeast Iowa Community College.

Karen was a wonderful cook and owned and operated her own catering businesses, including Showcase Café and Karen Hardtke Catering and Decorating. She was an inspector for ESKA, where she also headed the ESKA credit union.

Karen loved to keep busy, she was involved in many activities, and served as activity director at Bethany Home. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served as president. She was an excellent bowler and was a bowling coach for many years. She was also a Girl Scout leader and loved working with kids.

Karen enjoyed camping, gardening and was an avid game player. She loved to do crafts and was a member of a craft club. Karen was a devoted wife and mother and her family always came first. She had a special love for all babies, especially her grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Fred, of Sherrill; her children, Fred (Pam) Hardtke Jr., Faith (Milt) Eichman, Becky Schmelzer and Tammy (Pat) Rolwes, all of Dubuque, and Traci (fiancé, Tom Meyers) Schmitt, of Sherrill; her grandchildren, Jayson Hardtke, Joshua (Kelly) and Bradley Shannon, Stacy (Al) Sabers, Jennifer (Jason DeMaio) Eichman, Janell (Jason) Schueller, Stacy, Kendra and Haley Schmelzer, Justin (Karla), Kyla, Derrick and Dallas Rolwes, Chasity (Ben Hartman), Chantel and Cheyanne Schmitt and Sammi Jo and Brady Meyers; her great-grandchildren, Chase, Zach, Carson, Addyson, Kylie, Ella, Adalida, Ivy, Aubri, Olivia, Averi, Alexa and Ella; her sisters, Janet Konkel, Sonja Dulek, Denise (Fritz) Stark, Doreen Mish and Debra (Dave) Burce; her brothers, Carlyle (Norma), Dennis, Hector (Karen) and Loren Olson; her sisters-in-law, Linda Olson and Geri (John) McConnell; and her brother-in-law, Bob (Diane) Hardtke.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Ralph, Arlen and Roger Olson; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Karen Hardtke Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hoffmannschneiderfuneralhomes.com.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing staff at Luther Manor and to Hospice of Dubuque.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Thursday, June 12, 2014