Kathleen Rita Hartman

Kathleen Rita Hartman, nee Sheridan, died at home on Oct. 11, 2012, in Palmer. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was born July 23, 1926, in Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe), Penn.

She started a life of service as a nurse’s aide at Allentown Hospital in 1946. She worked for the Morning Call Chronicle newspaper as well as the Bonney Forge as a secretary. Later, she worked for the Sears Roebuck Corp. as a teletypist. She was also a dancer, an aquatics instructor for the Red Cross, a member of the National Polar Bears Club, studied sign language for her Red Cross work and was a prominent storyteller.

Kathleen taught for many years in the Red Cross’s Learn to Swim programs as well as in winter programs for physically challenged swimmers, providing them with much needed health benefits of safe exercise in the water. She served as aquatics director for Girl Scouts of America summer camps.

After moving from Bethlehem, Penn., to Palmer in 1987, she studied Alaska Native beading and fur sewing with Rita Blumenstein. Her handiwork earned her several prestigious awards at the Alaska State Fair. She was also a member of the local Gold Dusters organization.

Kathleen enjoyed creating wonderful characters and stories. She delighted friends and especially her grandchildren with marvelous tales of nature and the wonderful world all around. Her adventurous spirit, love of learning and sense of humor enriched many lives. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Preceding her in death was her husband of 47 years, Henry R. Hartman of Palmer; and her grandson, Anthony E. Benvin of Pittsburgh, Penn.

Surviving are her three children, Henry W. Hartman of Wasilla, MaryJane Hartman of Windber, Penn., and Barbara Ann Benvin of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and her grandchildren, Henry J. Hartman, Rita Hartman Gittlein, John Hartman, Joseph Hartman, Sarah Hartman, Lucas Hartman, Robert Benvin and Elizabeth Benvin.