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January 11, 1942 - August 13, 2018
Shirley Louise Hartman (nee Knuff) of Hoadley, Alberta, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, auntie, friend, entrepreneur, gardener, and community contributor, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family members at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, after a brief illness with leukemia, on Monday, August 13, 2018 at the age of

76 years.

Shirley was born on January 11, 1942 in Unity, Saskatchewan, the fourth and final daughter born to her homesteading parents. She became the son her father never had, and it was on the farm that she learned the value of hard work with her dad and grandpa in the fields, and her mom in the farmhouse kitchen. Indeed, Shirley worked hard the entirety of her life.

She met her husband, Floyd Hartman - a farm boy from nearby Rockhaven, Saskatchewan - in 1959, and they were married on April 5, 1960. Shirley had a keen interest in business. She worked for the Royal Bank of Canada in Calgary and Okotoks for many years prior to purchasing the Hoadley General Store in 1975.

In 1980 Shirley added to their ownership, the grocery store known as Hartman's Shopright in Winfield, Alberta - complete with an Alberta Treasury Branch agency which she was certified to operate. In 1991, she and Floyd launched Hill's Power Tongs 1991 Ltd., and Shirley served as the chief executive officer until her passing. Through 25 years in the Alberta oil patch, she was a well-known and respected business woman.

Shirley was also a community contributor. For many years, she served as president of the Wetaskiwin constituency of the former Reform Party of Canada, and worked closely with long-time MP Dale Johnson. For the past 40 years, Shirley served as a member of the Hoadley Happy Gang and a board member of the Hoadley Community Hall - often heading up fundraising projects. A central focus for Shirley each spring was an event known as the Alberta Men and Women of Country Music - a day-long music festival held at the Hoadley Hall. For the past 16 years (beginning at age 60), Shirley spearheaded the organizing and promoting of the festival - including catering the Saturday evening meal for all who attended. There was no question she made the best potato salad in the country! The effort Shirley invested in the music festival each year could only be described as 'Herculean"!

She was also a talented musician herself, and played the accordion and piano - often accompanying others. For many years, Shirley led a group of men known as the Hoadley Country Gentlemen who became popular in the community. She was an avid gardener and developed an extensive flower garden at her country home. Shirley enjoyed hosting friends and family members, and delighted in cooking extensive dinners for them, and she became a master at preserving fruits and vegetables - so much so that she had a "canning kitchen" added to her home.

Each December, Shirley and Floyd orchestrated the hanging of tens of thousands of lights and ornaments at their home in Hoadley to create a spectacular Christmas festival of lights enjoyed annually by hundreds of people. Shirley was a devoted Christian throughout her life, and was gifted in mentoring people in their Christian faith. In the 1970s, she and Floyd served in a volunteer ministry at the Stoney First Nation at Eden Valley, southwest of Calgary. For decades, they have been active members of the Rimbey New Life Fellowship Church. Above all else, Shirley was generous with her time and finances. She supported numerous charitable causes; ranging from having water wells dug in third-world countries, to homelessness in Canada.

Left with an inexpressible absence is Shirley's cherished family: her loving husband of 58 years, Floyd Hartman; her two treasured children: her son, Kurt (Kim) Hartman; and her daughter, Shelly (Christopher) Bruce; her precious grandchildren: Kristen (Derek) Gully, Zoe Hartman (Corey Legace), Johnnie Hartman, Jackson Alm-Bruce; and Patrick, Nora, Christopher, and Chrisian Bruce; as well as her beloved great grandchildren: Jordyn, Meg, Cora, Nathan, Rebecca, and Kohen; and her dear friend, work mate, and helper, Richele Hjelmeland.

Her loss will also be felt deeply by her sisters, Marie Buziak and Verla Erlendson; her brother-in-law, Brent (Shirley) Hartman; and her sisters-in-law: Lynn (Art) Warren, Joanne (Judy Peach) Jowsey, and Bernice (Bob) Kurtz; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews and their families in whom she showed great interest and affection; her many treasured friends, neighbours and business associates; along with her church family at the Rimbey New Life Fellowship Church.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Grace Knuff; her parents-in-law, John and Virginia Hartman; and her sister, Dorothy Price.

A Public Funeral Service in Celebration of Shirley's life will be held at the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene, Rimbey on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Reg Darnell officiating. Interment will take place immediately after the service in the Hoadley Cemetery, Hoadley, Alberta, with a luncheon and "jam session" to follow at the Hoadley Community Hall, with members of the Alberta Men and Women of Country Music. Everyone is cordially invited to attend.

If friends desire, memorial tributes in Shirley's Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Food Bank, c/o FCSS, Box 404, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0; or to the charity of one's choice. Condolences may also be expressed by email directly to the family at: shelly.bruce@ymail.com

Funeral and Burial Arrangements for the Late Shirley Louise Hartman (nee Knuff) entrusted to the care of

OBERHAMMER FUNERAL CHAPELS LTD.

Telephone (403) 843-4445



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