Passed away quietly at home on Saturday, April 3, 2021.  Age 102.  Longtime resident of West Allis.  Devoted wife of Harold Karl for 70 years.  Mother of Curtis (Nancy Day) Karl, Keith (Sharon) Karl and Lynne Karl Miksch (the late Norbert).  Loving grandmother of Joel (Tina) Miksch, Julie Miksch (Troy) Voss, and Jill Miksch Herkowski.  Special great-grandmother to Carlie Miksch, Megan and Garrett Voss, and Shaun Herkowski.  Step-grandmother of Deborah, Lynn, Terri, and Sherri.  10 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.  Further survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Esther was an amazing woman who will be missed and cherished by all who knew her.  She will be remembered as a kind, gentle, humble, strong woman with great Faith.  She was a charter member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church which was established in West Allis in June 1955. She loved her church “family” and attended church services faithfully.  

She worked for Allis Chalmers first as a part-time waitress in the Clubhouse dining room, then full-time in the Circulation Dept.  When Harold developed vascular dementia after open-heart surgery at age 80, she was his sole caregiver for 10 years before his passing in 2008.

Esther learned to golf and she and Harold spent winters in New Braunfels, TX for 25 years.  They made many friends there.  They golfed every day and both were excellent golfers.  She even hit a hole in one, but was not a person to brag about it.

Mom always liked to plant flowers in her yard and had a vegetable garden.  In her apartment, she began to raise orchids.  Reading was her passion and she usually read 3 or more books a week.  She very much enjoyed the Book Club which was held at church.  She loved walking and over the years walked 1-3 miles a day.  When she could no longer walk outside, she would walk the hallway in her apt. building.  While still living on 109th Street she enjoyed the neighborhood women’s card club.  She collected stamps and was a very prolific letter writer her whole life.  She was an amazing listener and loved receiving phone calls from all members of her family.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Heartland Hospice.  Your devotion, compassion, and support to Esther and our family will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund. 

Celebration of Life at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 11709 West Cleveland Avenue, West Allis, Wisconsin on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Gathering at 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. Memorial Service to follow.

COVID-19 restrictions will be in place. Please wear a mask. Casual attire if desired.