A beloved friend, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who put her loved ones first and led her life with unwavering faith, Lenora Lucille Hartman (née Olsen) passed away on February 3, 2025, pleased to have reached the age of 90.
Lenora was born in a farmhouse in rural Schaller, IA, on August 28, 1934, to parents Olinus and Margola Olsen. She was raised with her two older brothers, Mervyl and Ronald, on the family’s working farm. Days began early and comforts were few. She didn’t know the luxury of electricity until she reached her double digits, never had indoor plumbing on the farm, and her primary education took place in a one-room schoolhouse. When Lenora was 7, Ronald died tragically in a car accident that shook the foundation of the family. This experience, along with her many duties on the farm, taught her the lessons of hard work, resilience, and sorrow at a very young age.
When she was 16, Lenora took a job detasseling corn — a rite of passage in her rural community. The tractor driver, a 16-year-old boy named Donald Hartman, offered to drive her and a friend to the fair in Odebolt, IA. That chance encounter launched a 71-year love affair between Lenora and Don. In Don’s words, they were “crazy in love” from the start. The couple was married on June 6, 1954, and over the course of seven decades, their marriage produced three children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
After graduating from Schaller High School in 1952, Lenora moved to Omaha and attended Commercial Extension Business College. She utilized those skills in many positions throughout her life, always working outside of the home to help support her family.
Lenora was a fiercely devoted mother. Driven by her belief in doing the right thing, she held her children to high standards. They often commented that it was “mom’s way or the wrong way.” But behind that iron constitution was a deeply generous soul.
Throughout her life, Lenora was perpetually busy, be it with household tasks, church, or social activities. A favorite pastime was square dancing with Don. She always cherished her colorful flowers and the beautiful birds they attracted. Lenora enjoyed playing cards, board games, and ongoing Scrabble battles with Don, joys she shared with her children and grandchildren as they grew. Lenora was just as devoted to her children’s children as she was to her own. She showed up at every opportunity—from horse shows to baseball games, and always came prepared with homemade treats. When you entered her home, Lenora made each person feel like the most important person in the world. Ice cream was a necessity, her freezer stocked with every flavor (as her grandkids and great-grandkids came to count on!)
Holidays were a highlight for Lenora, and she made them special for everyone around her. Christmas came with her favorite decorations and making cutout cookies. Birthdays were made special for each person, especially with the cakes that she’d bake and decorate themed to whatever her children loved most at the moment.
Camping was a consistent enjoyment for Don and Lenora. After their first camping trip to Colorado in 1955, they decided there had to be better ways to camp than sleeping in a Nash Rambler. They upgraded from the Nash, to tents, to their first trailer in 1969. After Don retired in 1987, they were able to fulfill a long-time dream of traveling full time. They traveled the country in their bright red Ford Dually followed by their dream trailer, a Carriage Fifth Wheel. During this early retirement period Don and Lenora were able to take some of their grandkids on many adventures that stir fond memories to this day. Lenora was consistent about two things on these trips with the kids and later the grandchildren: 1. Make sure she has picnic lunch supplies. 2. Find a swimming place for Don to swim with the kids/grandkids and make sure she never gets wet.
Lenora enjoyed a lifelong involvement in church activities. From her time in Sunday school at Schaller Presbyterian Church, then later Church of the Cross in Omaha, Knox Presbyterian in Overland Park, and finally New Summit in Lee’s Summit, Lenora was always deeply involved in the life of the church and making many lifelong friends along the way. Church potlucks were often an opportunity to bring her “famous” cheesy corn casserole. In her final years at Foxwood Springs nursing home, she took it upon herself to encourage many of her “neighbors” to attend the chaplain’s worship services. She continued to serve the Lord by caring for others—from looking after the needs of her roommate to assisting those sitting at her dining table.
Lenora’s friends adored her. Even eight decades later, she maintained friendships from her childhood, including her dear school friends Valerie and Evelyn. She managed to keep in contact with dozens of friends and members of her extended family, staying in touch no matter where they lived or traveled.
Lenora was also the family historian, holding on to every memento that had meaning, including precious letters her husband sent her in the early days of their courtship that helped sustain her after he passed.
Lenora was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, Donald Clive Hartman. She is survived by her children, Carol Forsythe, Janet (Tommy) Thompson, and Keith (Missy) Hartman; grandchildren John Forsythe, Heather (Jacob) Cutshall, Peter (Calee) Hartman, Michelle Hartman, Ryan (Sierra) Jelinek, and Kevin (Alexis) Jelinek; and great-grandchildren Jake Cutshall, Madoline Cutshall, Matilda Cutshall, Lucie Cutshall, Gehrig Jelinek, and Elsie Jelinek.
Lenora left this world with her faith strong and her heart full, ready to return home to God and be with Don and family once again. She taught us to love like Christ and to serve without expectation. The love she gave us will live on, and we will cherish her precious memory, until we meet again.
A family celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Moorehead Park Depot in Ida Grove, IA. Lenora and Don’s ashes will be interred in Ida Grove Cemetery, together.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home