James Leo Hartmann

Jim Hartmann of Seward, Nebraska, went home on February 3, 2021.  He was born on December 5, 1935 in Seward, Nebraska to William and Magdalene (Bender) Hartmann.

Jim grew up around the Garland area and graduated from Garland High School, where he was a member of the basketball team and remained active in Garland alumni activities.

Jim was united in marriage to Ardath Woebbecke on March 2, 1957 and would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary earlier this year. 

He was one of the youngest truck drivers ever hired by Forburger Stone Company in Lincoln, where his love of diesel trucks and travel began. Jim and Ardath farmed southeast of Seward for almost 20 years before Jim returned to his love of trucking.  He owned and operated his own semi and then moved into shop management for Seward Motor Freight until his retirement in 2000.

Jim was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Seward and an active member of the choir, church council, church softball team and a sponsor of the Luther League.  He was presently a member of Living Word Lutheran Church, Seward.  He loved trains (real and model), attending Royals baseball games with the Seward County Campers, boating and camping with family and friends, and attending his grandsons’ activities and music functions. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald Hartmann, Walter Hartmann and Richard Hartmann; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jeanette and Emil Lampe, Marjorie and Daniel Heibel; foster sister Dorothy Hill; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lawrence and Doris Woebbecke.  He was followed in death by his brother William Hartmann.

Surviving members of his family include his wife, Ardath; daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Harry Mulligan, Sherri and Danny Ehmke; grandsons, Nathan Ehmke and Troy Ehmke; sisters-in-law, Della Hartmann, Doris Hartmann, Viola Hartmann and Arlys Hartmann, along with nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. 

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