Gerhardt Hartman was born in Lafleche, SK on September 4, 1940, the third child of Joe and Margaret Hartman. Gerhardt was raised on the farm in Flintoft, educated with his siblings in a one room school house and/or by correspondence until high school, when he moved to Assiniboia to live with his Grossmutter Hartman. He graduated high school a year early and then attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning a degree in engineering. While in university, he met his wife, Patricia. They married in 1963 and settled in Lethbridge, AB and very soon welcomed their first daughter, Shelley in 1964, with Juanita 19 months later. In 1965, they relocated to Medicine Hat and Michael was born in 1969. After seven years in the ‘Hat, they moved to Sherwood Park for about three years, moving back to southern Alberta in 1976 and settling in Coaldale. Gerhardt finally got the government job that lasted until his premature retirement, after a car accident that ended his ability to get around easily and prevented him from being Irrigation Secretariat to the best of his ability. He then turned even more of his attention to his community, parish and family. He and Mom built their special home in 2002 and both were able to stay in it until their passings. Wherever Gerhardt lived, he made lifelong friends and many were considered family to him. He brought music, dancing, jokes, puns, and good grammar to a higher level. Doing his best to be the best in whatever he did.

He is survived by his children, Shelley (John) Lohues, Juanita Hartman, Michael (Crystal) Hartman, and “extra daughter” Elsie Friesen; his grandchildren: Shaun (Christina) Lohues, Kathleen (Lance) Rosen, James (Basia) Lohues, Isabelle Lohues, Brandon Erdos, Tara (Zach) Palychuk, Christina (Shane) Eyre, Corey (Cheyenne) Erdos, Evan (Chelsea) Hartman, Eli (Tyler) Hartman, Dallas (Shaun) Hebert, and Kendra (Brandon) Ensign; and 15 beloved great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Leon (Annabelle) Hartman; sisters Marlene Tait and Theresa (Gerry) Seidle; sisters-in-law Melba, Beverly, and Delores and by many much, much loved nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Patricia, parents Joe and Margaret, sister Trudy, brother-in-law Charles, and his in-laws Jack and Florence, Faith, Patrick and Dorothy, Lonnard, and Paul.

Gerhardt’s priorities in life were his faith and church, his family and friends, and his community. He was instrumental in the formation of the St. Ambrose Knights of Columbus and was proudly a Fourth Degree Knight. He was volunteer minded and believed in making his community a better place. With that in mind, we would like you to make donations to the Food Bank of your choice in lieu of flowers. PTL!

A Prayer Vigil will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825-32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Brian Kinahan officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1513-23 Avenue, Coaldale, AB, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating. Both the Prayer Vigil and Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Gerhardt’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Following the Funeral Mass, Gerhardt will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Patricia in the Coaldale Community Cemetery.