Francis Hartman

Francis Hartman was born April 13, 1923 in Wilmont, MN, the son of George and Balibina (Langenhorst) Hartman. Times were hard when Frank was young, his family moved often through southwest Minnesota. Frank was able to attend elementary school until age thirteen. At thirteen years he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp and found work in the camps.

In 1944 Frank joined the United States Navy. He served aboard the newly launched USS Matanikau, an escort aircraft carrier. Frank served in the South Pacific and San Diego, CA.

On February 2, 1945 Frank was united in marriage to Ruth Jensen at San Diego, CA while serving in the US Navy. They were blessed with five children. The couple returned to Iona, MN following Frank’s discharge after the war. He ran the Blue Moon Bar in Iona. In 1951 the couple moved to Alexandria, MN to farm. While farming he also worked for many years at Hubbard Milling. Frank retired from farming and the mill in 1987. In 1992 Frank and Ruth moved to Hemet, CA where they gathered many new friends.

While in California he was a member of St. Anthony’s Church in San Jacinto. In Alexandria Frank was a member of St. Mary’s church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Frank enjoyed doing carpentry and woodworking projects. He liked fishing in Minnesota and loved to go fishing on the ocean. Frank had an eye for garage sales and enjoyed visiting and bargaining for the best deals.

On Friday, September 15, 2017 Frank died at the age of ninety-four years at Sharon’s Senior Services. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Hartman; his daughter, Lori Harstad; one great grandson, Zachary Salto; four brothers, John, Felix, Matthew and Joseph Hartman; and one sister, Florence McDonald. Frank is survived by his son, James Hartman and wife, JoAnne, of Alexandria, MN; daughters, Bonnie Salto and husband, Norman, of Alexandria, Carol Swanson and husband, Gary, of Hemet, CA, and Mona Lisa Hartman of Alexandria; five grandchildren, Theodore Salto, Timothy Salto and wife, Stephanie,, Thomas Salto, Teresa Harstad and husband, Mike, and Misha Harstad; and six great grandchildren, Blaine, Brittany, Hannah, Chelsey, Johnny, Elizabeth and Rebekah.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Sharon’s Senior Services and the Douglas County Hospice for their wonderful care.

A funeral service was held Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Anderson Funeral Home. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld officiated. Entombment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.