Charles Hartman

    Charles (Chuck) Anthony Hartman was called home to be with our Lord on March 24, 2018, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish at the age of 85.
    Chuck was born on August 28, 1932, to Oliver and Adelle Hartman in Urbank, MN.  He attended the country school in Urbank and the Sacred Heart Catholic School through the eighth grade then chose to help on the farm since he was the eldest son.  Chuck served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956.  After returning home from the service, Chuck had an adventuresome heart and moved to Tioga, North Dakota to work in the Oil Field Service. He worked as a Roughneck on an Oil Rig then quickly worked his way up asForeman.  In Tioga, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Frostad. He convinced his cousin, Phil, and his girlfriend, JoAnn, to arrange a blind date with Mary Ann and the rest was history.  They dated for 4 years then married on September 30, 1961. 
    In 1969, with three children, Greg, Shelley and Charlyn, they decided to move west where the winters weren’t so brutal and decided to settle down in Whitefish, MT, where their son, Garren, was born. Chuck was a devoted and loving husband and wonderful father to his four children.  He was actively involved in the Boy Scouts where he was the Scout Master for many years.  He spent countless hours mentoring these boys. He showed the scouts how to build snow caves up in the mountains, which they slept in while they camped all weekend in the snow and he also showed them how to build a fort by lashing logs together with rope.  His scout troop carved incredible snow sculptures, designed unique creative floats every year for the Winter Carnival and the list goes on.
    Chuck worked at the Aluminum Plant and painted homes for several years. Then, from 1975 to 1995, he worked for several different Oil & Gas Companies in Alaska including the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.  He traveled back and forth working months at a time away from his family.
    Chuck had a very generous heart and always put others first. He was always ready to give and to help anyone in need.  He lived for those he loved and looked for any opportunity to spend time with family and friends. He loved to dress up as Santa Claus and make surprise visits to his own children and grandchildren. He enjoyed playing Santa so much that he did it for neighbors and friends for decades.  He had a great sense of humor and was an amazing storyteller. He truly loved life & made friends with those around him. In his final years, he talked highly of his new dear friends at Glacier State Apartments in Kalispell.
    He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, his daughter, Charlyn, his parents Oliver and Adelle Hartman, and his brother Basil Hartman.
    Chuck is survived by his children, Greg (Karen) Hartman, Shelley (Jim) Kellam, Garren (Jayne) Hartman; sisters, Judy (Gail) Klein, and Veronica (Larry) Jahnke; grandchildren, Beau (Carolyn) Kellam, Tyler Hartman, Josalyn Kellam, Jordan Hartman, Kaiden Hartman, Mabelle Hartman and Kricket Hartman. 
    The family has decided to have his Celebration of Life Memorial in early July. The date & time will be announced.

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