Gerald Vernon Hartman

Gerald "Gerry" Vernon Hartman was born on February 6, 1936, to John and Katherine (Breckunitch) Hartman in Buffalo Center, Iowa. He attended Buffalo Center Public School graduating in 1955. In September of 1958 he was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Ord, California. He was eventually deployed to Germany and France and was Honorably discharged in September of 1960. After a small time of helping with farm work for his uncle and aunt he moved to Sheffield, Iowa to be nearer to his parents and started working for the Sheffield Produce. In late 1961, early 1962, he met a girl, later to become the love of his life, named Marlys. They became engaged in April 1962 and married September 8, 1962, at Zion St John Lutheran Church in Sheffield, Iowa. In August of 1964, they became proud parents of a dear little son, naming him Daniel Carleton. Gerry was such a proud Dad, often taking his little son along with him on his daily egg routes. In early 1967 he was offered a job in Ames, Iowa so he, Marlys and Daniel relocated to Ames, which would eventually become their lifelong home. He was employed as a custodian at Collegiate Methodist Church and then at Bethesda Lu...[more]

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ran Church. In November of 1967 Marlys's Mother passed away unexpectedly and Marlys's Brother, Dennis, came to live with Gerry, Marlys and Daniel. Dennis was loved but intellectually challenged from an early childhood accident and lived with them for 20 years. In February of 1970, they became proud parents of a beautiful little girl who was named Andrea Ruth. In 1973 Gerry started working for Sundstrand Hydro Static Plant, where he spent the next 25 years working in the Seal Room, retiring in 1998. During these years, his kids were growing up with Daniel graduating from Ames High in 1982 and choosing to enlist in the United States Air Force. He did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and Gerry and Marlys along with Andrea attended his graduation. He was then sent to Travis Air Force Base in California and was eventually deployed to RAF Lakenheath Air Force Base in England near London. This gave Gerry, Marlys and Andrea the wonderful opportunity to visit him in England for 2 weeks, getting to see the many sights in and around London and Paris, France. In 1988 Andrea graduated from Ames High School choosing to go to Iowa State University, eventually graduating in 1992. Soon empty nesters with Andrea and Daniel on their own. In 2000 Gerry and Marlys joined a group of friends and Pastor Kent Mechler of Zion St John Lutheran Church Sheffield for a dream come true to travel to Germany for 2 weeks of seeing all the sites of the beginnings of the Lutheran Church. It was a memorable and wonderful treasured trip! During the following years, Gerry enjoyed some part time jobs with different apartment property owners as a maintenance man. He became a great fan of Iowa State athletics, especially Men's Basketball having season tickets since 1988. During these years he enjoyed many very memorable trips to Norman, OK; Manhattan, KS; Memphis, TN and San Antonio, TX for football games and Auburn Hills, Ml; Dayton, OH; Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI and Dallas, TX for Men's Basketball. The Dallas Trip was a memorable one as 3 crazy MGMC friends (Marlys, Jan Holsman Falkoff and Deb Miller) and Gerry ventured to the NCAA tournament on the spur of the moment. Then the 35+ yearly March trips to Kansas City, to "Hilton South" for the Big 8 tournament at Kemper Arena which eventually became the Big 12 tournament and was moved to the Sprint Center. Gerry was a member of Ames American Legion and a devoted member of Gilbert Lutheran Church where he sang in men's choir for many years until health problems occurred. He also was a member of the Saturday morning Men's Bible Study and the Iowa State University Cyclone Club. During late 2024 and early 2025 health problems occurred, and he was admitted to MGMC for 3 weeks in April and then on May 15th entered home hospice with his wish to pass away at home. During this time, he received truly wonderful care from the Hospice team. He steadily declined and early the morning of June 3 he with Marlys, Daniel and Andrea at his side passed into God's hands and his heavenly home. He had prayed many times for God to take him, a strong faith his life was now fulfilled! He is survived by his Wife Marlys, Son Daniel Carleton, Daughter Andrea Ruth, Fur baby Georgie, Brother David (Mary), and a "BIG" brother, not by blood, but a wonderful friendship of over 70 years LeRoy (Helen deceased) Weaver and their dear family of Son Tim(Julie) Weaver (sons Tanner and Colin) Daughter Audrey (Bob) King (their children Amanda and Dustin). Special "Arby's tea" time Friend Jim Lester, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; his Mother and Father-in law; Carl and Ruth Beyer; Brothers: Ronald Dean and Johnny; Sisters: Donna Mae Bierman and Marilyn Jean Hunt; Brother-In Laws Dennis and Larry Beyer; Nephews: Scott Hunt and Todd Bierman and many dear Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Blessed be the Memory of our dear Gerry, a Wonderful Husband and Father! A quiet Man but our very Special Gerry and Dad! A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at Gilbert Lutheran Church (135 School Street, Gilbert, Iowa 50105) at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation held one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the family while a fund is being established. Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcreamtioncare.com