William “Bill” Frederick Hartmann was born Oct. 4, 1929, in Seward, to William and Magdalena (Bender) Hartmann and passed away March 22, 2021, at the age of 91 years, 5 months and 18 days. Bill was baptized on Oct. 27, 1929, and confirmed April 2, 1944, both at Zion Lutheran Church in Garland.
Bill attended St. John Parochial School grades 1 through 3, Zion Lutheran Parochial School grades 3 through 8 and Garland High School grades 9 through 12. He graduated with the Class of 1948, which was a class of three boys.
Bill held numerous part-time jobs in the Garland area from 1948 to 1950, including helping his father farm. He worked fulltime for Carlyle C.B. Boyes Industries in Garland and Seward. He drove a semi-truck for Mr. Boyes from 1950 until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on Aug. 17, 1951, along with 34 other men from Seward County. Bill served in the United States and Korea from 1951-1953 before being honorably discharged in July of 1953 from the U.S. Army.
On Sept. 27, 1953, Bill was united in marriage to Doris Woebbecke at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milford, and to this union, three sons were born. After returning to Garland, he resumed working for C.B. Boyes at his feed plant. Bill founded Hartmann Custom Service Company DBA Hartmann Construction Co. during 1954 doing ag lime spreading, farm fertilizing, chemical spraying, soil conservation and earth moving. This company continues operation even today under the leadership of his sons, Andy and Jon. Bill purchased the Greenhorn Limestone Products Company in 1976 and operated this enterprise until 2003. He was also engaged in part-time farming from the mid 1950s until 2015.
Bill was very active in numerous business and civic organizations, including Zion Lutheran Church, Garland Village Board, Garland Volunteer Fire Department, Land Improvement Contractors of America, Associated General Contractors of America, National Limestone Institute (now National Stone Association), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, ran for state senator from the 24th Legislative District in 1986, registered lobbyist before the Nebraska Legislature, member of Seward Area Chamber of Commerce, Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Seward County Public Power District, Concordia University Board of Regents, Concordia Foundations Inc., Foundation for Memorial Health Care Systems, Seward County Historical Society, Nebraska One Call Notification Board of Directors, Camp Creek Threshers Association, Historical Construction Equipment Association, Antique Caterpillar Owners Club, Seward Rotary Club and more.
Bill had many fond memories, including coming home from Korea, watching his kids grow up and the weekends spent at Johnson Lake. He enjoyed conducting many thrashing demonstrations at the Seward County Fairgrounds. He taught the importance to work hard, be humble and be honest. His greatest piece of advice was to never give up.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; son, Paul Hartmann; four brothers, Donald, Walter, Richard and James; two sisters, Jeanette and Margorie; step-sister, Dorothy Hill.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Doris Hartmann, Seward; sons, Anthony “Andy” Hartmann and fiancé, Deborah Saucier, Seward, Jon and wife, Sharon Hartmann, Seward; seven grandchildren, Zac (Lauren) Hartmann, Jennifer (Evan) Ells, John (Darcy) Gleisberg, Kaela Stuhr, Emly (Patrick) Daberkow, Japheth (Cheyenne) Hartmann, Elisha Hartmann; 15 great-grandchildren, Cayden, Alivia, Hunter, David, Matthew, Otto, Floyd, Ariel, Orion, Maddy, Cali, Kinley, Brynn, Roman, Blake; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
A funeral service was March 26 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with graveside service and interment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Garland. Memorial contributions are suggested to Concordia University Nebraska or Memorial Health Care Systems. Condolences may be left for the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
