Mrs. ROBERT (Gertrude M. Snitker) HANGARTNER 1921-2002

BECHTEL, SNITKER, HANGARTNER, DEENY, WIRKLER, JOHNSON, WATERS, CHAPMAN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/13/2005 at 21:33:25

Mrs. ROBERT (Gertrude M. Snitker) HANGARTNER

Funeral services for Gertrude Hangartner were held Friday, May 31, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. The Reverend James Allison officiated. Joann Martins was the organist and Marvin Spencer, Sr. was the soloist. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery.

Gertrude Marion, the daughter of Elmer and Emma Bechtel Snitker Hangartner, was born May 11, 1921 on the family farm near Waukon. She passed away on Monday, May 27, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center in Postville, Iowa. She was 81 years of age.

Gert was blessed with ten brothers and sisters (Irvin, Lawrence, Arlene, Walter, Marion, Merlin, Robert, Benji, James, and Shirley) while growing up in Ludlow Township. She was baptized August 7, 1921, by Pastor Zissler at the Zalmona Presbyterian church. She received her diploma from the Waukon schools. During her childhood, she enjoyed playing with siblings on the family farm, swimming, and singing with her sister, Marion, on the Waukon radio station and at the Opera House. She also loved dancing. Gert was active in the Henderson Prairie Study Club, St. Paul's Women of the ELCA, and enjoyed many card groups.

On January 14, 1944, she married Robert Miller Hangartner at the Zalmona Presbyterian Church in Ludlow Township. To this union four children were born: Cheryl, Frank, Toni, and Terrell.

Gert partnered in farming with her husband, southeast of Postville. After Bob's death in 1977, she moved from Paradise Valley to Postville. She enjoyed entertaining family during the holidays, playing cards, traveling, gardening, cooking, canning, and making homemade bread.

Gert is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; six brothers, Irvin, Lawrence, Walter, Merling, Robert, and James; and one sister, Arlene Deeny.

Surviving are her two sisters, Marion Wirkler of Monona and Shirley Johnson of Decorah; brother Benji Snitker of Palo; children, Cheryl Waters of Postville, Frank (Peggy) Hangartner of Fayette, Toni Chapman of Minneapolis, and Terry (Lynn) Hangartner of Byron, MN; eight grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

The casket bearers were Ryan Hangartner, Robert Hangartner, Lance Hangartner, Greg Ballard, Marvin Spencer, and Jason Waters.

Waukon Standard, 6/5/2002 - contributed by Mary