Betty Lou Hartman, 76 of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away Friday, September 30, 2022, surrounded by family. Betty was born January 29, 1946, to Ethel (Trisler) Price and Eddie Price in Sioux City, Iowa. Betty was the 3rd oldest child of 10 children. She was raised in Sioux City, Iowa.
Betty married Gayln Taylor, and they had a daughter, Annette. She married Donny Harder and had 4 children, Bob, Robin, Donnette, and Janette. Betty and Donny worked at Iowa Beef Packers most of their married life. In 1976 she moved to Valentine, NE where she worked hard while raising her 5 children.
Betty married Duane Hartman in July of 1998. Both were married previously and through their children, and grandchildren of those marriages, they created a big, loving family. Betty liked working in a bar as a waitress and bartender. She never considered anyone a stranger- they soon became her friend. When she was married to Duane her dream came true of owning her bar and restaurant. They were happily married for 18 years until Duane’s death.
Duane and Betty enjoyed traveling, which included taking family members with them on their trips. She liked playing cards, having big pool parties, celebrating Easter with a huge Easter egg hunt in her yard, having family reunions in her home, and going to the casino with family and friends.
Even though Betty never learned to swim, several of her grandkids and great-grandkids learned to swim in her pool by Betty pushing them off the diving board (granted they had life jackets on).
Betty loved to cook – she never followed a recipe, but her food was always delicious, especially her fried chicken, meatball chili, potato salad, and spaghetti with meatballs. She always cooked enough in case someone unexpectedly dropped by. A tradition Betty loved to do every year was to have Mr. and Mrs. Claus come on
Christmas Eve to Betty and Duane’s home. Every child and grandchild sat on Santa’s lap, had their picture taken, and received a gift.
When Betty bought an item she really liked, she wouldn’t buy one of the item, she came home with 10 of the same item. Betty loved taking pictures with a disposable camera. She never went anywhere without it.
Betty is survived by daughter Annette (Ron) Ward of Arizona, Robert (Angela) of Lincoln, daughters, Robin of Lincoln, Donnette of Lincoln, Janette (Brien) Wolff of Columbus, and son Zeke (Kimmy) Hartman of Lincoln.
28 grandchildren – Jena (Tyler) Schreiber, Kyle Ward, Jordan (Dawn) Ward, Shane (Lindsey) Bottorff, Derek (Sarah) Bottorff, Jeremy (Nikyle) Bottorff, Michaela McKee, Brittany Harder, Morgan (Salvador) Wolff, MaKenzi Wolff, Bobby (Dani) Taylor, Dillion (Malissa) Taylor, Brandan Taylor, Lacey (Dion) Taylor, Hezekiah Hartman, MaKaila Murphy, Caitlynn Gillaspie, Olivia Hartman, Joe Hartman, Gage Hartman, Mira Hartman, Camden Barker, Katie Barker, and adopted grandchildren, Allie (Jack) Imhof, Kelsey Imhof, Katelyn Imhof, Mikka Imhof, and Jerzee Imhof, and 35 great grandchildren – a TOTAL of 63 grandkids. She is also survived by sisters, Audrey (James) Leming, Lincoln, Peggy (Bob) Case of Hawarden, Iowa, Donna (Jim) Estes of Bartlesville, OK, Bonnie (Bob) Devall of Stratton, CO and brothers, Joe (Michele) Kopecky of Atkinson, NE and Bob Kopecky, Lincoln, and special friends, Karen Fowler, Pete and Stella Hametis, Jim and Gayle Beveridge and Cindy Nguyen, and Connie Johnson along with many nieces and nephews, and friends.
We remember Betty as fun, loving, and caring with a big heart who gave out advice (sometimes even if you didn’t want to hear it). Betty lived life to the fullest. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and will be missed and loved by so many. Preceded in death by her husband, Duane, sisters, Barb, Patty, and Beverly, parents Ivan and Ethel Kliment, and sister-in-law Karen, and aunt and uncle Dot and Jack Fischer.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Christ Place Church, 1111 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2022 at Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln and one hour before services, Saturday, at the church. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com. Memorials in care of Betty’s family.
Annette, Bobby, Donette, Robin, Janette, and the entire Family,
My heart breaks for each of you. Your mom was so special to so many people. If you were lucky enough to call her family you know how special she was. I not only got to call her my Aunt but my friend. Thank you for sharing her with the world.
May God hold you all close and give you comfort knowing she is with everyone she missed especially Duane. I’m sure she is the life of the party in Heaven today. I’m sure gonna miss her.
I love you all
Thank you Lori! She loved you also
I knew Betty very well I lived in Valentine for 2 years with the railroad and got to know very very well she was outstanding person I’m very likable I will miss her and think of the good times and memories we had for and the many dinners and picnics we had at the park and her home my condolences to the family and friends of Betty’s
Thank you Anthony – this summer she told us a story about riding the train to long pine and back! Thanks for loving our mother! I’m her oldest daughter
Oh Betty, I just saw you a few weeks ago and had a nice chat. We connected when Duane was a patient at Bryan and it was such a long stay so you became family. You bought 6 boom boxes for the unit so patients could have music in their room. It was so kind. I love you Betty Hartman. Rest with Duane.
Love,
Mona
Annette, I so wish I could have been there in person but thankful I got to watch the live stream. I could feel your mom’s presence there. She truly was so giving, with the best advice and most importantly, honest. Sometimes I didn’t want to hear what she had to say but she was always right. I can see her planning her “ warm” or “cold” weather menus. Her last message to everyone “To find Peace with the Lord” was a precious, everlasting message. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We love you, Jeff and Jorja
Thank you for being a great friend to our mom! Blessings to you!
Our love and prayers are with all of you, may you take comfort in where your sweet mom is and your wonderful memories of her. Love Scott and Marge
Thank you Scott & Marge- love you!
Betty touched so many lives every day in every way. She was an inspiration to those who were blessed to be in her life. Her caring, loving spirit was a testament to all things good. I was fortunate to have Betty as a Dear Friend and will never forget her kind heart and loving soul!
Thank you Connie & being such a good friend to our mother!
We had planned to be at Betty’s service, but Donn was not feeling well enough to attend. We thought so much of Betty, and so appreciated her loving, cheerful spirit! We know she is having a wonderful time in heaven being reunited with Duane. We know you all have many wonderful memories that will always be with you; and we know her spirit will always be with you, too! Our prayers are with you all!
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Blessings to you!
Sending lots of prayer’s and warm thoughts to all of you!! She was one of a kind and I have lots of childhood memories with you all!!!! May you feel God’s loving hands wrapped all around you in the days ahead!!!!! Remember to pray for each other and keep your families close thats what she would have wanted!!! Hugs sorry I was not able to be there!!!
Thank you Deb! Blessings to you- yes we have lots of childhood memories as well with your dear family! Love you