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Betty Jean (Earl) Hartman, 92 of Douglas, was born January 25, 1928 in Hayes Center, Nebraska to Harry Parker Earl, Sr. and Mildred Victoria (Falk) Earl. She passed away on September 27, 2020 in Lincoln. She was the oldest of seven children. She spent her early childhood on the YBO ranch in Goshen County, Wyoming. Her family moved from there to the rural Syracuse area.

Betty took normal school training in high school and graduated from Syracuse High School. She continued her teacher training at Peru State Teacher's College. Normal school training allowed her to teach, and she taught up to eight grades in one-room schools around Syracuse and Douglas.

She married (Walter) Wayne Hartman on August 1, 1954 at the Methodist Church in Syracuse. They lived on the farm east of Douglas and raised their children there. Betty loved being outside and for many years cared for a beautiful garden and orchard. At retirement, they moved into Douglas and spent the rest of their lives together there.

Betty was a member of the Douglas United Methodist Church and faithfully served for many years as a member of the United Methodist Women. Her kind heart and giving spirit could be seen in her work with children, as a long-time Sunday School teacher and 4-H leader. She also served as president of the Douglas Community School PTA.

She is lovingly remembered by her family as someone who loved each unconditionally, who made the best chocolate chip and frosted sugar cookies ever, and who always had time to rake leaves into piles to jump in or build a snowman, take kids on walks to the pond, or play endless games of Skip-Bo. She also enjoyed needlework projects, which she gave to her children and grandchildren and pieced and quilted many beautiful patchwork quilts. She did nightly newspaper puzzles and jigsaw puzzles in the winter. Her children remember her reading to them, teaching them values and faith, and being an advocate for their education. Home was a special place to return to, knowing the door was always open and love was always there.

Betty is survived by her children: Carol (Tad) Larsen, Jean (Noel) Erskine, Julie Hartman, Nancy Hartman, and Kevin (Jill) Hartman; grandchildren Katie (Nate) Hergert, Cindi (Patrick) Lange Hathaway, Ben (Angie) Larsen, Cara (Shaun) Jones, Jamie (Klancy) Peterson, Ryan Erskine, Terra Hartman, and Kaylee Hartman; great grandchildren Lavelle Smith and Nykolas Lange, Hope and Jayde Shoemaker, Emi Larsen, and Aubree and Kinslee Jones; sister Sharon Kruse; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, parents, sisters Patricia (Earl) Barkman and Lucille (Earl) Slosson, brother Harry Parker Earl, Jr, and two infant siblings, Doris Elaine and John Page.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 29 from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. with family greeting friends from 5-6 P.M. at the funeral home. Masks required.

Due to the COVID pandemic, a private family service will be held at the Douglas UM Church at 10:30 a.m. September 30, 2020, with interment at the Rose Hill Cemetery following services. Out of respect to all attending, masks are required. The service will be Live-streamed on the Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Facebook page with the link posted on the Fusselman website.

Memorials to Rose Hill Cemetery Association or Douglas Fire and Rescue.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com