Laura M. Hartman

Laura Holdeman Hartman died at home on September 26, 2015 under the care of her family and devoted caregivers after an extended illness, which she endured with a hopeful demeanor and a positive outlook until the end. Laura was born in Muskegon Michigan on May 19, 1925 and was preceded in death by her brothers Steven Holdeman and John Holdeman and her sister Mary Gorham. She is survived by her brother David Holdeman and her sister Elizabeth Dobbins and her devoted and loving husband of sixty-seven years, Bob Hartman. She is also survived by her four children, Kathleen Coniglio, Phyllis Hartman, Mark Hartman and Barbara Shea, sons in law Tim Coniglio and Jed Shea and her grandchildren, Kara Coniglio and spouse Ezequiel Portillo, Lauren Holden and spouse Robert, Mark Coniglio and spouse Shannon, Emily Hartman, Rachael Shea, Samantha Hartman, Michael Shea, Matthew Hartman, Nick Hartman, and Corrine Shea and her five great grandchildren. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren knew her as Grandma Lala or Blue Grandma, a name coined by her first grand daughter to describe someone or something especially wonderful, and she was. Laura was the daughter of an artist and an engineer and received talents from both. She could be counted on to fix any broken appliance and her skills in artistic endeavors came so easy. She was an accomplished seamstress with an eye for perfection and later became expert at counted cross-stitch and needlepoint. Her hand knitted sweaters and afghans are still treasured many years later. Laura’s best talent was not discovered until later in her life. She had a true gift as a watercolor artist and she continued to paint and go to art classes until her last year when she was no longer able to see well enough to continue what she loved and at which she excelled. Laura was an amazing cook and her holiday celebrations have set traditions for her children and grandchildren. In her younger years she demonstrated her athletic ability in both golf and bowling with many championships to her name. Laura was the life of a party, especially when it was her party as she was an incredible hostess. Her smile and joyful laugh were so infectious and wonderful to hear. She will be acutely missed by those who love her dearly and who did not want to part with her, even now. Laura’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff at JourneyCare Hospice for their help, encouragement and compassion over the past five and one-half years. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 9:00 AM until time of funeral service 11:00 AM at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. Interment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Donations may be made to JourneyCare Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010 or First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights 1903 E. Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.