ESTHER KLUDT BARTHOLOMEW

Esther Lillian Bartholomew died December 16, 2016, after a brief illness. She was born in Wolsey, South Dakota on June 22, 1924. Her parents were Fred and Christine Kludt.

The Fred Kludt family lived in Lodi, California, in 1917, but later returned to South Dakota to the area where her mother was born. The family returned to Lodi when Esther was ten years of age.

Esther went to Lodi schools and graduated from Lodi Union High School with the Class of 1942.

After schooling, she worked as an office secretary. Her first job was as a sales stenographer with Lodi Super Mold. After that, she worked as a secretary for a CPA firm, and then at Guild Wineries and Distilleries, from which she retired after 26 years. After her retirement at Guild, she worked as an office volunteer at Lodi Memorial Hospital on every Thursday for 27 years. In 2013, she retired from her volunteer position, working a total of 5,199 hours.

On October 27, 1946, Esther married Alvin Arthur Heer; and they were the parents of two girls, Jeanette and Judy. Alvin died of cancer in 1972. On November 30, 1985, Esther married Robert Warren Bartholomew; and Robert died in 2009.

Esther enjoyed planning and organizing the Kludt family reunions. She also worked with her committee in organizing the 1942 Lodi High class reunions for many years, with the last reunion in 2013.

She is survived by the following: Daughter, Jeanette Heer (Gregg Goins) of Vallejo, California; Daughter, Judy Kinberg of Stockton, California; Grandchildren: Jana Goins, Baltimore, Maryland; Geoffrey Goins, Vallejo, California; Mike (Jenny) Kinberg, Lynnwood, Washington; Tim Kinberg, Stockton, California; Laura Kinberg, Austin, Texas. Stepchildren:

Robert (Leah) Bartholomew of Boise, Idaho; Peggy (Lenus) DeReus of Willows, California; Patti (Craig) Heaps of Concord, California.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Esther was the last surviving sibling of the eight Kludt children.

There will be no services per her request. Neptune Society will be in charge of her arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff of the Meadowood in Stockton, California, and the Hospice of San Joaquin for her care in the last months of her life. Donations may be made in her memory to the Hospice of San Joaquin.

Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/ guestbook.