Esther Ruth Rechkemmer, 85, of Burlington, Iowa, died Saturday, October 1, 2022 at her home.
She was born October 12, 1936 in New Boston, Illinois to Edward Ernest and Jessie Ruth Shotwell Shoemaker. Esther married Melvin Rechkemmer on November 19, 1955 in Aledo, Illinois. They shared almost 47 years together working hard and enjoying a good life together. They enjoyed their families, playing games in the yard or at the kitchen table with cards. They followed their kids and grandkids activities.
They were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington along with being active members of the Moose Lodge. Esther worked at Restaurants for many years and for Mel’s Mother at “Mable’s Café” in Oakville. She also worked at the basket factory and in her later years at a bakery.
Esther enjoyed taking care of her family, she liked to cook and bake, loved to read, tend to her flowers and put-up food out of her garden. She loved watching the river flow by, the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeye basketball team.
She lost Melvin in 2002 and then later met Larry Kiesel along with his son Doug Kiesel. They had fifteen years together and were active members of the Moose Lodge, having and attending block parties and enjoying music together. Larry took care of Esther until her last days.
Esther is survived by one brother; Ernie (Margo) Shoemaker, Keithsburg, Ill.; one son Tony (Barb) Rechkemmer, Coralville; four daughters, Terry (Terry) Grim, Wapello, Tammy (Steve) Hirst, Mt. Pleasant, Debbie (Stan) Swank, Aledo, Ill., and Cindy Nees of Monmouth, Ill.; two step children, Curt (Jill) Rechkemmer, Cedar Falls, Denise Newcomb, Solon; several grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mel, one sister Janice Brown, three brothers Bob, John, and Harry Shoemaker; one daughter Mary Young, one grandson Jeremy, one granddaughter, Kim, and great grandson Kayzen Ecklund.
The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2022, at Lunning Chapel with the memorial funeral service directly following at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dean Graber officiating. Private family inurnment will take place in Edwards Cemetery rural Oakville at a later date.
Memorials have been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society and the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.