Barbara Lee Hartmann

 Barbara Lee (Harris) Hartmann, a dedicated teacher, devoted mother and avid baker, died Nov. 9, 2024, at the Spencer Hospital. A lifelong Lutheran who was never happier than when she was spending time with her son and three daughters, Barbara died peacefully, holding her children’s hands after a final, soothing prayer.

 Barbara is survived by her children Bradley Hartmann (Tim); Brenda Jordan (Philip); Amy Hartmann (Jeff) and LeAnn Hartmann.

Barbara’s 88 years were absolutely dedicated to her kids. She would Facetime with them daily, laughing at their stories and sharing her own. All of her children’s friends loved to gather around the phone to hear Barb’s kind voice and to catch her up on their own lives and families. All four Hartmann children attended the University of Iowa – a whopping 21 years of tuition! – and an incalculable number of Hawkeye students will forever associate tailgating and holiday care packages with Barb’s famous cookies, snack mixes and caramel corn.

 Barbara, the youngest of four, was born in Rolfe, Iowa, to Ivan and Ellen Harris on July 5, 1936. The family briefly moved to Minnesota before returning to Rolfe. Barbara graduated high school from Des Moines Township in Old Rolfe before pursuing a degree in education. She attended the Iowa Teacher’s College, graduated in 1956 and moved to Everly – the place that would become her beloved home – to teach.

 A night out with a friend at the Roof Garden in Okoboji would change her life forever. It was there that Barbara met William “Willie” Hartmann, a farm equipment dealer with a belly laugh and personality as big as the tractors he sold. The two married on July 12, 1959. (Love truly must have been in the air that night because Barbara’s friend, Jan Tanhoff, hit it off with Willie’s friend, Ron Englert, and they, too, would soon walk down the aisle!) Barbara and Willie would be inseparable for the next 63 years.

 Barbara continued teaching in Everly until the Hartmann’s first child – Bradley – was born, and she continued to substitute after that as their family grew by three daughters: Brenda, Amy and LeAnn. When the Quik Spot opened in Everly and eventually added a kitchen, Barb spent years working there and making pizza.

 Barb was soft-spoken and quick-witted. Her kitchen was always a place of fresh baked goods and lively conversation. The Hartmann’s house in Everly was a second home to all their children’s friends. Since the house was just a block from the school, the Hartmann kids and all their classmates would endlessly burst through the doors for a snack and a quick hello before sports or afternoon activities.

Barbara was constantly driving a gaggle of loud teenagers in the Hartmann’s well-known red conversion van and their basement was always the local gathering spot. When the Hartmann’s house burned to the ground after a middle-of-the-night lightning strike, they rebuilt in the same spot, and that home, too, soon became the place where their grown kids (and all their friends) would return for reunions or holidays.

 Barbara never lost her devotion for kids and education. She served for many years on the Everly School Board and was well-known for bringing strawberry pies to meetings. She also was deeply involved in volunteering within her church, Hope Lutheran in Everly. She loved northwest Iowa deeply and looked forward every year to a visit to the Clay County Fair.

 The love of her life, Willie, died on Oct. 16, 2022, just shy of his 90th birthday. Barbara had held his hands in those final moments, and as her own body began to fail in recent weeks, Barb had consistently told her children two things that perfectly summed up her life: she was ready to see heaven and she was ready to be back by Willie’s side.

 Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and husband as well as her siblings Ivan “Bud” Jr., Betty and Alan. When her children and all their friends gather to remember and honor her in the coming days, it is certain someone will bring Barb’s famous snack mix and caramel corn. 

in lieu of flowers, the family has set up a fund in her name and the memorials will be donated to causes that were important to Barbara.

Cards may be sent to:

LeAnn Hartmann

1760 S.E. L.A. Grant Parkway #41

Waukee, IA 50263