Madonna G. Hartman

Aug. 16, 1920 – Nov. 10, 2022

Madonna was born on Aug. 16, 1920, in the small town of Stuart, Neb.  She and her three brothers bounced the three miles to school in a cart pulled by their little pony, Twinkle.  After her third year of high school (during the Depression), the family found it necessary to move west.  They settled in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming.  She completed high school in Basin.  She married Adam Hartman in 1940 and they lived on Orchard Bench and later moved 12 miles west of town.  Besides being a mother of three, she was also the bookkeeper for their extensive farm and ranch livelihood.  Like most rural housewives, she tended a garden, canned and froze produce, and often cooked for extra hired hands, as well as cousins who loved to come out to the country to ride horses and enjoy ranch life.

She also found time to serve schools and community as a girl scout leader, 4H leader and chapter mother for Future Homemakers of America.  After they moved to Basin in 1968, she took on volunteer jobs such as Gray Lady at the local nursing home, member of the Federated Women’s Club of Wyoming, and was an active member of PEO.  She and Adam were members of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Basin, where she served on the Altar Guild.

After their three children were grown, she and Adam took up golfing and spent extensive time in Arizona and California during the winter months.

Madonna was known as an excellent cook, especially her pies.  She enhanced her home with beautiful seasonal floral arrangements.  She was skilled at bridge, enjoyed poetry, and even up to the time of her death, read her newspapers daily.  A close friend commented that she never went out without her lipstick or beads.   She was a devoted mother and a woman of faith.

Her zest for life was apparent in all she did.  She was tireless and faced adversity with stamina and resiliency.

In 1971 Adam became ill; he passed away in 2001.  At the encouragement of her family, she moved to Mission Ridge in Billings, Mont., and spent time at other facilities there before her passing on Nov. 10, 2022.  The family appreciates the care she received from all the healthcare providers at St. John's United.

She is survived by her three children:   Connie (Lew) Dunning, of Billings, Mont.,  Bette Jaedicke of Flemington, N.J., and Phillip Hartman (Sheri) of Basin, Wyo.   In addition, there are five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Basin, Wyo.  Interment will follow at Mount View Cemetery in Basin. Arrangements have been entrusted to Atwood Family Funeral Directors.

Memorial donations may be given to Saint Andrew’s Church in Basin, Wyo., or to the charity of your choice.

 

 

 

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