Walter J. "Wally" Hartman 1936-2015

HARTMAN, DUSCHEN, PRESTON, LANGAS, DAVIS, ROLLING

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 5/31/2017 at 22:30:58

Walter J. "Wally" Hartman, 79, of Mosalem Twp, Dubuque, passed away at Stonehill Care Center on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. He and his wife resided on land called "Cottage Hill," now Iowa's second-oldest farm, (circa 1835) on Mines of Spain's original acreage.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rev. Hal Murray will officiate. Burial will be in Rockdale Methodist Cemetery, with Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. today at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Rd. Friends may also greet the family from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Wally was born on April 7, 1936, to Earl C. and Bernadine I (Duschen) Hartman. The Hartman Farmstead near Peosta, Iowa, was Walter's birthplace. He attended Vale, a one room school house, and later graduated from Dubuque Senior High School with the class of 1953.

On September 27, 1958, he was joined in marriage to Gerda Ann Preston at Westminster Presbyterian Church. God blessed them with 57 loving years together.

Wally was drafted into the Army soon after marriage and later graduated as head cook in his class. He was sent to Heilbroon, Germany, to cook for Army officers. He and his wife traveled through many countries with their Volkswagen "bug" while living there.

Upon returning home, he resumed his joy of farming, by now, with his father-in-law, Donald G. Preston. Outside employment was at Eska Co. and Adams Co. He later worked at John Deere Dubuque Works, where heart attacks ended his 28-year career with the green machines.

He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Past President of Dubuque County Conservation Society and Mississippi Hiking Club. His life's enjoyments were farming, bird feeding, camping, hiking, fishing, traveling and learning about his Swiss ancestry. Along with his wife, Gerda, they built the Preston Heritage Museum to preserve their family's past.

Wally was a quiet man, always helping out behind the scenes volunteering and caring for family members. He was a great and loving father.

Wally is survived by his wife, Gerda, of Dubuque; daughter Heidi Lynn (Tom) Langas, of Dubuque; brothers David (Lois) Hartman, of Dubuque, and Lavern (Mary) Hartman, of Peosta; brother-in-law Donald (Barbara) Preston, of Dubuque, and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his step grandchildren, Tommy (Diane Vorwald) Langas, Jennifer (Eric) Davis and Julie (Chris) Rolling; and four great granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, Donald and Vineta Preston.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Walter's name.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Charles Longo for his loving and professional care over Walter's many health issues. Also, thank you to Dr. Allen Muerer and the Stonehill staff and residents who showed much care and concern. They said Wally was known to brighten a person's day with his affectionate smiles. "He was a diamond in the rough."

For more information, please visit egelhofsiegert casper.com.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Friday, October 16, 2015