Esther T. Hartmann
Jan. 13, 1939 – Sept. 24, 2026

Esther Theresa Hartmann passed away Sept. 24, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

She was born Jan. 13, 1939, in St. Louis, Mo., to Wilhelm and Hilda Mueller Hepting. She was baptized Jan. 29, 1939, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in St. Louis County by Grandfather Carl Mueller. She was confirmed April 6, 1952, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma, Mo., by Rev. Wilhelm Hepting. She and Robert T. Hartmann were married June 15, 1962, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church by Rev. Wilhelm Hepting. She attended Ebenezer Lutheran Elementary in St. Louis, Holy Cross Lutheran Elementary in Emma, Mo., Concordia High School in Concordia, Mo., and Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Neb.

She was a teacher in Lutheran elementary schools in Alva, Okla. (1960–62), Norborne, Mo., (1962–63), Concordia, Mo., (1963–65), Santa Fe Elementary in Alma, Mo., (1965–67), and Cape Girardeau, Mo., (1977-2000).

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Hartmann; two sons, Douglas (Teresa Swartz) Hartmann, Dennis (Deidre) Hartmann; a daughter, Denise R. (Peter) Karl; seven grandchildren, Benjamin Hartmann, Emma Hartmann, Grace (Caleb) Schaefers, Jackson Karl, Nathan Hartmann, Matthew (fiancé, Annika Lawless) Hartmann, Jonathan Hartmann; two great-granddaughters, Ella Gray and Baylor June Schaefers; two brothers, Carl (Rosalyn) Hepting and Tom Hepting; a sister-in-law, Janet Hepting; many nieces and nephews; and beloved Bible class members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William Hepting and Timothy Hepting; and an infant granddaughter, Natalie Ruth Hartmann.

Funeral service was Sept. 26, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with the Rev. Paul Short officiating.

Entombment was at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran School Foundation, Lutherans for Life or Orphan Grain Train.