The Life of JOHN HALSTEAD HARTUNG
John H. Hartung, 90, formerly of Des Moines, died May 21, 2003 at St. Joseph''s Medical Center in Brainerd, as the result of renal disease related to diabetes. A memorial service to celebrate John''s life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Congreagational Church in Berwick, IA, with an informal luncheon following at the church.
John Halstead Hartung was born January 7, 1913 in Berwick to Burdair and Bessie (Cottingham) Hartung. He grew up on the Hartung family farm west of Berwick and graduated from Yoders School and then East High School in Des Moiens. He completed his formal education by earning a Law Degree from Drake University. Following graduation, John enetered pilot training with the army Air Corp, a skill that became a lifetime avocation. He was united in marriage to Gail "Maxine" Gifford on December 23, 1939 in Omaha, NE. He owned and operated a private law practice in Des Moines for many years. He engaged in numerous civic and social groups during his years in Des Moines but his primary interest was always family.
As a young man, he developed a love for the northern lakes region of Minnesota. Throughout his life he shared this passion with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members and friends. John will be remembered for his caring, his imagination and creativity, his integrity and his love of life.
John is survived by Maxine, his wife of 63 years; two sons, John (Joan) Hartung of Indianola and Michael (Francis Wornson) Hartung of Crosslake; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His parents and six siblings preceded him in death.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Berwick Congregational Church, East High School or Drake University.
John Halstead Hartung was born January 7, 1913 in Berwick to Burdair and Bessie (Cottingham) Hartung. He grew up on the Hartung family farm west of Berwick and graduated from Yoders School and then East High School in Des Moiens. He completed his formal education by earning a Law Degree from Drake University. Following graduation, John enetered pilot training with the army Air Corp, a skill that became a lifetime avocation. He was united in marriage to Gail "Maxine" Gifford on December 23, 1939 in Omaha, NE. He owned and operated a private law practice in Des Moines for many years. He engaged in numerous civic and social groups during his years in Des Moines but his primary interest was always family.
As a young man, he developed a love for the northern lakes region of Minnesota. Throughout his life he shared this passion with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members and friends. John will be remembered for his caring, his imagination and creativity, his integrity and his love of life.
John is survived by Maxine, his wife of 63 years; two sons, John (Joan) Hartung of Indianola and Michael (Francis Wornson) Hartung of Crosslake; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His parents and six siblings preceded him in death.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Berwick Congregational Church, East High School or Drake University.