Erwin Guenter Hardtke, age 81, passed away at his home on Friday, October 23, 2009. He was born August 20, 1928 in Berlin, Germany to the late Berthold and Elisabeth Hardtke. Erwin married Helga Steinkamp on August 19, 1952. Together they moved to the United States with their three sons on May 19, 1960. They settled in the Sauk Prairie Area where Erwin worked for the Dane County Hospital in Verona as an recreational/occupational therapist for 29 years. Currently Erwin and Helga live at Pine Vista in the WestPoint Township. Erwin was very proud of his German Heritage, he served as the President on D.A.N.K., Duetsch American National Kongress for 20 years, Treasurer of the German Club of Madison for 20 years, and produced the German Music Parade on AM radio for 17 years.

He is survived by his wife Helga of Prairie du Sac
3 sons
Norbert (Christine) Hardtke, of Sauk City
Hans-Joachim(Peggy) Hardtke, Lone Rock
Michael (Renee) Hardtke, Grapevine TX

And was "opa" to his grandchildren
Kimberly, Kevin, Quinn, Jeromy, Rebecca, Derek, Jon-Michael, and Sierra
2 sisters in Germany, Inge(Richard) and Karin(Guenter) Hardtke

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers Wolfgang Labe and Horst Wieckert.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, October 27 at HOOVERSON FUNERAL, Sauk City. Friends may call from 10am until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Sauk City Cemetery. Following the service a gathering will be held at the Pine Vista Community Center.