Dairyman, water advocate Kenneth Harold Hartman has died at age 86

Kenneth Harold Hartman, 86, departed this life peacefully at his home in Guide Rock, Neb., on Nov. 13, 2014.

Kenneth was born in 1928 on the Hartman farmstead near Rosemont, Neb. He was raised in the Rosemont/Guide Rock area and graduated from Eckley High School in 1945. On July 23, 1949, he married the love of his life, May Elizabeth Figgins. They farmed north of Red Cloud, Neb., from 1945 to 1955 and had four children: David, Daniel, Karen and Kenneth Jr.

They moved to northern Colorado in 1955 where another daughter, Kenda, was born. Ken worked at several area dairies before buying his own herd of cattle and moving to Loveland in 1966. In 1973, Kenneth purchased a dairy north of Fort Collins. Children Lauri, Eric and Alisa were added to the family, via legal guardianship, while in Colorado. Kenneth sold his dairy and retired in 1994. He drove for Harvest Farm in Wellington for eight years.

Kenneth served as president of Northern Colorado Water Association for 30 years and was a delegate to the Colorado Rural Water Association. Kenneth represented the organizations at national conventions in the interest of providing drinking water to northern Colorado.

Kenneth and May left Colorado in 2008, settling in Guide Rock, Neb.

Kenneth had immeasurable love for the Lord and his family. His smile and calm disposition made him a friend to everyone who knew him.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his dear wife, May; infant son, Kenneth Jr.; two sisters; and five brothers.

Surviving are his family, David Hartman and wife, Judy; Karen Nelson and husband, Wayne; Daniel Hartman and wife, Pamela; Kenda Peter and husband, Arnold; Lauri Mink and husband, John; Eric Walker; Alisa Hartman; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; twin brother, Keith Hartman and wife, Daisie; brother, Marvin Hartman; and many other relatives and dear friends.

Memorial services were held April 25 at Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud, Neb. If you were unable to attend, please send your cards and memories to the family at 715 Pleasant St., Guide Rock, NE 68942.

Interment was at Rosemont Presbyterian Cemetery. A full obituary can be viewed at www.wmsfh.com/obituaries.