Hartje, Dorcas K. (1944-2009)
HARTJE, RICKLEFS, HARTSOCK, RIEAD
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/2/2010 at 13:35:52
Dorcas Hartje - June 10, 1944 - July 20, 2009
Dorcas K. Hartje, age 65, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Monday, July 20, 2009, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Dorcas K. Ricklefs, and her twin brother, David, were born on June 10, 1944, at the Hawarden Community Hospital in Hawarden, Iowa, to Garrett and Grace (Hartsock) Ricklefts. She and her brother were baptized in the hospital on June 11,1944, by Pastor Krueger of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Ireton, Iowa. In her early childhood, Dorcas and her family lived in various rural communities where her father worked for area farmers. In 1949, the family moved back to the Ireton area where Garrett farmed with his brother-in-law. Dorcas began attending Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church in Marcus, Iowa, and was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ireton on March 30, 1958, by Reverend Paul Friedrich. Her confirmation verse was Psalm 27:4. Dorcas attended grade school in country schools in both Reading and Center Townships in Sioux County, Iowa, graduating from the eighth grade in May of 1958. In August of 1958, the family moved to Sheldon, Iowa. She graduated from the Sheldon High School in 1962. Her favorite activity was music, especially playing the piano and the tenor and baritone saxophone in the high school band. In January,1962, while still in high school, she began working part-time for the Federal Land Bank in Sheldon. Upon graduation, she was hired full time and held that position until 1968.
On April 20, 1968, Dorcas was united in marriage to Leonard Hartje at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sheldon, Iowa, and this couple was blessed with three sons: Hadley, Ryan, and Kyle. Following their marriage, they have lived in Storm Lake, Iowa. Dorcas attended Buena Vista College, graduating in January of 1972 with degrees in elementary education and art. In 1980, she began giving piano lessons in her home. Dorcas started with just a few students and over the years, she taught more than 100 children and adults to play the piano. After many years as a devoted housewife and mother, Dorcas went to Iowa Central College to refresh her business courses. While she was attending classes, she worked for an attorney, Emery Emerson, of Storm Lake. Dorcas then was employed with Wal-Mart as a customer service manager. In 1993, she began working with another attorney, Steven Roth. She always enjoyed being creative and most recently joined in with the family woodworking business. Dorcas was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church all of her life. For many years, she taught Sunday School that happened to be the younger aged children, and she was also involved in the music program. Over the years, she also participated in the church choir and Ladies Aid.
Those who will always cherish her memory include her husband: Leonard of Storm Lake, Iowa, her children: Hadley Hartje of Minneota, Minnesota, Ryan and Deborah Hartje of Shawnee, Kansas, and Kyle and Kris Hartje of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, her grandchildren: Mikayla, Nicholas, Kira, Kayla, Elizabeth, and Andrew, her brother: David Ricklefs of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, her aunt: Louise Riead of Storm Lake Iowa, other extended family, many friends and former piano students.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Dan.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in rural Storm Lake. Inurnment will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in rural Storm Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
May the Lord bless the memory of Doras Kaye
Hartje.© 2009 by the Sliefert Funeral Homes
Sliefert Funeral Homes
Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen