Herman George Hardtke
March 28, 1944 - January 26, 2013
Big Herm - Fun Loving, Honest, Loyal, Direct Resourceful & Adventurous
Herman George Hardtke, 68, passed away on the 26th of January 2013 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma Washington. He was born on March 28th, 1944 in Puyallup, WA to Herman Fredrick Hardtke and Florence Grover Hardtke.
‘Big Herm’ grew up in the Ashford, Washington area. He attended Columbia Crest elementary and middle school, and Eatonville and Sumner high schools. He later got his GED. After high school he joined the US NAVY in 1962 and served for 4 years. He served in Korea and the Middle East aboard the destroyer USS Warrington as a Fire Control Man. He achieved the rank of E 5.
After the Navy he became an apprentice in the bricklayer’s Union and worked his life as a mason. Later self-employed with business partner and good friend Steve Rose, he retired due to mobility issues in 2008.
Herman married Wendy Findlay in 1962 in Ashford WA. They were married for 22 years. And had daughter Tami and son Herman William.
Herman is survived by his first spouse Wendy of Burley WA. His second spouse Carol Steik of Hawk’s Prairie, WA. His daughter Tami Strunk and her husband Greg Arend of Issaquah, WA along with their daughters Amanda, Rachel, Hannah, Renee, Kristen, Brittany. His son Herman William and his wife Gigi of Tacoma, WA, along with their son Herman Martin. His Sister-in-law Shari Elliff of Lacey, WA. His niece Gretchen Yule along with her husband Peter Yule of Las Vegas, NV and their daughters Kaylee and Addison. His nephew Javin Elliff of Tacoma, WA. Good Friends Peter and Rene Darwin of Namu, British Columbia, Derrick and Tom of BC, Gary Rolstad of Spanaway, WA and numerous other friends and fellow members of Soul’s Harbor Church where he periodically attended.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
A Celebration of Life will be held at the community room in the Orting Library Building at 202 South Washington Avenue in Orting, WA on Saturday February 23rd at 1:00 pm with reception immediately following at the same location.
Herman’s ashes will be scattered later this year according to his wishes.
Please post memories and comments for the family and friends to view on Herm's Memorial Page.
Memorial
Dad
We'll always remember
That special smile
That caring heart
That warm embrace
You always gave us.
You being there.
For mom and us.
Through good times and bad times
No matter what.
We'll always remember
You, Dad, because
There'll never be anyone
To replace you in our hearts.
And the love we will always have for you.
Author Unknown
A True Fisherman
A true fisherman knows when and where the fish
are biting.
He rises up early in the morning,
Plying the water for that elusive catch,
Waiting in the stillness for a nibble
A slight twitch in the line,
Expertly he reels it in --
A good fisherman knows a keeper
When he sees one, he knows when to toss one back
And when to head for home.
Author Unknown