Charlotte M. Kesterke

Charlotte M. Kesterke, 88, of Benton Harbor, passed away Monday, March 12, 2007, at Caretel Inns of Royalton. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Kesterke was born December 19, 1918 in Algoma Township to Henry & Bertha (Williams) Russell. On June 20, 1942, she married Forrest H. Kesterke in Rockford, Michigan. Charlotte taught 3rd & 4th grade, with most of her 30 years of teaching spent at Jefferson School in St. Joseph. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, and cooking and entertaining her family. She especially enjoyed the time spent with her granddaughters. Mrs. Kesterke is survived by her daughter Kathy (Dick) Oliekan of Coloma; four grandchildren-Kristin (Steven) Fry, Kerrin (Rex) Jensen, Kacey Oliekan, Kaylynn (Benjamin) Haider; and eight great-grandchildren-Austin, Rachel, Sarah, & Emily Fry, Jackson, Emma & Ethan Jensen, & Caleb Haider. She was preceded in death by her husband Forrest in September of 2001, and by two sisters & one brother.