Charlene Hartman

Charlene Sue (Deal) Hartman was born May 24, 1937, in Bloomfield, Iowa. She was the youngest of six children born to Ira Lincoln and Cecil Gay (McBratney) Deal. Charlene graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1955 and went to work in the banking business. On January, 20, 1957, she married Dale LeRoy Hartman, in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Immediately following the wedding ceremony, Dale and Charlene drove to Arizona so Dale could begin his flight instrument training at William Air Force Base in Chandler. Upon completion of Dale’s flight training, they moved to Des Moines and later to Norwalk. In 1966, they purchased an acreage in St. Charles where they resided for 46 years. In 2012, they left the “farm life” and moved to the city in West Des Moines.

Charlene and Dale have three children: son, Bryan Anthony, born July 17, 1958; daughter, Dala Sue, born June 3, 1960; daughter, Tracy Diane, born February 16, 1963. Charlene stayed home to care for her young children before working at The Potting Shed in St. Charles for 5 years. She then went to work for Chem-Tech Ltd. in Des Moines and after 19 years of employment, retired in 2000, along with Dale.

Char and Dale loved to travel and going on cruises. To celebrate their retirement, they embarked on a 75-day world cruise in 2001. They took 24 cruises and visited countless countries and states during their life together. After retiring, Charlene and Dale spent their summers in Iowa and winters in Florida.

Charlene loved life and that was evident in her smile and her laughter, but her first love was Dale. They shared a love and commitment that was deeply rooted and one to be admired. Her beloved, Dale, passed away on their 59th wedding anniversary. She was also a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She cherished moments with her family and friends, playing Bridge, watching sunsets with Dale, dinners out, shopping, and lunch with “the girls”.

Charlene is survived by her sisters Betty Jean Johnson of Fairfield, Iowa; Shirley Dianne Hamersley of Ottumwa, Iowa; son, Bryan Anthony (Joanne) Hartman of Mediapolis, Iowa; daughter, Dala Sue (Mike) Scoblic of Waukee, Iowa; daughter, Tracy Diane (Bruce) Imber of El Cajon, California; grandchildren, Toni René (Justin) Stone of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Trevor John (Ashlee) Hartman of Ramstein, Germany; Holly Jo Morrow of Waukee, Iowa; Megan Sue Songer of Santa Cruz, California; Hunter Dane Imber of El Cajon, California; nine great-grandchildren, Brianna, Raya, Ally, Jackson, Kadyn, Nolan, Cale, Norah, and Oliver.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale LeRoy Hartman; father and mother, Ira Lincoln and Cecil Gay Deal; sister, Virginia Miriam Daniels; brothers, Charles Frederick and Ira Max Deal.

Memorial contributions may be directed to HCI Care Services - Kavanagh House.