Esther Ruth Jane Gawlik

Predeceased by her beloved husband Steve, only 3 months earlier. The two spent over 67 years together building a life and family. Dear mother of Christine, Stephen (Kimberley), and Patricia (Ken). Loved grandmother of Kyle, Jayden, and Noah. Dear sister-in-law of Mary Robson (late Jack) and aunt to Nancy De Caen (late John), Bob Egerdeen, Dave Herzog (Pat), and Debbie Herzog. Predeceased by her parents, Henry Herzog and Lena Reimert, siblings Gertrude Egerdeen, Heinz Herzog (Irene), and Guenther Herzog, niece Shirley Egerdeen and nephew Doug Herzog, as well as many other loved and cherished friends.

Esther grew up on Eby Street and was a lifelong member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Kitchener. She was a longstanding volunteer at Loaves and Fishes and treasurer of the ELW. She worked for many years at the Kitchener Public Utilities Commission, before staying home to raise her three children. She belonged to a ladies card “club”; a group of eight women that met monthly for almost 60 years. She enjoyed travelling, bowling, going to musicals and plays, solo, sewing, baking, dancing, listening to music, reading the newspaper, cats, and most of all spending time with her loving family.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Grand River and Hamilton General hospitals.

Esther's family will receive relatives and friends at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St., Kitchener, on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m., where the funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m., with Pastor Sebastian Meadows-Helmer officiating. A reception will follow. Interment will then take place at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St., Kitchener, ON N2G 3H2.