Esther "Eddie" Schluttenhofer

The Queen of Ahwatukee, Esther (Eddie) Schluttenhofer, 100, passed away on February 6, 2026 to join her loving son Rick and husband Charlie as well as her parents Albert and Veronica Zender, 10 siblings (four brothers and six sisters) plus their spouses. She often joked that she was the "last of the in-laws and outlaws".

She is survived by her daughter Bonita (Bonnie) Hartman. She had a very good life and would have celebrated her 101st birthday on February 13, 2026.

Originally Ohio born and bred, Charlie and Eddie migrated to Mesa, Arizona in 1967. In 1973, they purchased the 5th home built in the unincorporated Ahwatukee housing development south of Phoenix. Eddie always called it "their nest in the West". Over the years, extensions were made to the home resulting in a garage, formal dining room, large family room and screened in back porch.

Eddie and Charlie were very active at their Rec Center in the early years, partaking in golf and a host of club activities. After losing Charlie in June 2008, she invested much time and energy in the development of plantings in her backyard. She spent numerous hours sitting in the back porch day-dreaming and watching birds and planes overhead. New neighbors were greeted with a box of strawberries and an invitation to a "meet and greet" party she hosted for all the neighbors to welcome them into the neighborhood. They were also indoctrinated with the "rules of the road" keeping their property ship-shape. She will be greatly missed by many friends and surviving family relations.

She will be laid to rest aside Charlie in their "penthouse apartment" at Valley of the Sun Memorial Park: 10940 E Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, Arizona on Wednesday, February 18 with her funeral to begin at 1:00 PM. She wishes no flowers and said that Bonnie would kill any house plant. Instead, please donate to either Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) in her name.

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word." - Luke 2:29.