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Alice Louise (Barker) Hartzler (1972)

HARTZLER, BARKER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/29/2008 at 10:35:15

Earlham Echo – December 7, 1972

Alice Louise Barker Hartzler was born on a cold, wintery day in Indianola, January 14, 1883, the first daughter of Arthur and Ida Barker, life-long residents of Indianola. She enjoyed the pleasures and disappointments of any little girl, helping her mother with the work and care of her three brothers and a sister.

She completed her schooling in Indianola and attended Simpson College, specializing in music. But her artistic talents lay not in music alone, as she successfully learned to paint and became a skilled milliner, a craft that was to prove helpful to her family later when she had her own shop.

Alice Louise was married to Frank Mervin Hartzler, an Indianola boy, on April 21, 1908. They moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon, where Frank had established a jewelry store. Later they moved to Parma, Idaho. Here was born to them their only child, a daughter, Louise.

In 1920 the family returned to Iowa, settling in Earlham, where they opened and maintained a jewelry store until Frank’s death in 1957. Alice worked beside her husband throughout the years as helpmate and merchandise buyer for the store. Her artistic talents proved to be a great asset and a source of inspiration many times; a talent inherited by her daughter and passed on to her grandchildren.

During the Depression Years, Alice was instrumental in leading her husband into gardening as a hobby and together they planned and constructed a beautiful flower garden at their home. Later Alice’s interest specialized in iris and lilacs and the fame of her garden was known throughout the community.

Alice Hartzler was a life long member of the Presbyterian Church and a member and officer in the Women’s Missionary Society and the Earlham Chautauqua Society.

In addition to the love of her home and family, Alice had great desire for knowledge and continued her studies. The last two years she had begun to study the French language on her own and received pleasure learning to read it. She enjoyed travel and took many trips throughout the United States and Canada. Even during her final illness she continued to sing and recite poetry, to the delight of her family.

Although Alice was always a shy and reticent person her love for Jesus was a very deep and meaningful thing. She instilled Christian principles early in the life of her daughter and grieved when she saw them abused by others. As a child and young lady in Indianola she attended the Presbyterian Sunday services in the morning and then after dinner, walked back up to the Methodist Church for Sunday School and church services there.

She loved her family, her home and community and remained there until she was taken by Our Lord on December 1, 1972. She leaves to mourn her passing her only child, Louise, one brother, Earl, her sister, Edith, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a niece and 5 nephews.

Alice Hartzler will be deeply missed by all her neighbors and friends, who watched over her during the last few years while she valiantly maintained her home alone. Hers was still a pioneer spirit, stimulated by the Iowa weather, which she loved. A tenaciousness to life and a love and trust in God supported her during the last weeks.

A memorial service was conducted on December 4 at the Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. The Rev. Donald F. Taylor, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Earlham, officiated. Mrs. Robert K. Conner provided appropriate music and accompanied Frank E. Junkin, soloist. Casket bearers were Virgil Ackerman, Edwin Barker, Hugh Barker, Jack Barker, Robert Blattenberg, L. R. Goeldner, Louis Hays, and Gary Hoopman. Interment was in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.


 

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