Esther Marie Burkman

Esther Marie Burkman was born on September 22, 1921 in Blueberry Township to Oiva and Selma (Lohi) Carlson.  She attended school at District. 28 North, Menahga High School (class of '39), Virginia College and Walker Teacher's College.  During her teaching career, she taught at Sakkinen School, Huntersville, and Menahga Elementary School. On December 13, 1942, she married Harry Burkman who was in the Army at the time.  While he was serving in Europe, Esther and her sister, Melba, moved to Seattle, Washington to work for Boeing Aircraft in the war effort.  She proudly called herself one of the many Rosy the Riveters. Esther and Harry had 4 children, Terry, Bruce, Dean, and Deb.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her 2 brothers, Herb and Hans, her 2 sisters, Melba and Doris, her parents, and her son, Terry.  She is survived by her children, Bruce and Mary, Dean and Sharon, Deb and Willie, and Terry's wife, Barb.  Also, she has 8 grandchildren: David, Jeff, Gabe, James, Jacob, Ben, Ryan, and Isaiah  as well as 7 great-grandchildren: Clara, Cassidy, Josiah, Rachel, Graham, Blair, and Mia. Esther had a huge, giving heart and was known and loved in her community.  She particularly enjoyed knitting and quilting, her garden, making caramel rolls for her family and neighbors, the family deer hunting tradition, and all sports, particularly Midway baseball. The pallbearers are her 8 grandchildren.  The honorary pallbearers are the Midway baseball team, past and present.Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, February 24, 2017 at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with The Reverend James M. Hallaway officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, Feb. 23rd at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga  and will continue on Friday beginning one hour prior to the service at the church.