Mary Nairn `Susan` Hartman , Age 99


February 21, 1925 --October 14, 2024

Mary Nairn "Susan" Hartman, age 99, passed away on October 14, 2024 following a short illness at Oak Park Place in Baraboo, WI. 

She was born to Carl Goeres, Sr. and Dorothy Nairn (Heiberger) Hayssen on February 21, 1925 in Milwaukee, WI.  Mary Nairn described her Milwaukee childhood as  “idyllic”, with summers spent on Pine Lake, Nashotah, WI.  She earned an Economics degree from Connecticut College in 1946. John "Jack" F. Hartman and Mary Nairn were wed on December 17, 1949, a loving marriage lasting 53 years until Jack’s death.  In 1956 they moved to Beloit, WI where Jack began teaching at Beloit College. In Beloit, they raised their children— Melinda, Lisa, Pamela, and Matthew— with love, embrace and acceptance, encouraging all four to follow their own lifestyles and dreams.  She loved and nurtured her grandchildren equally well.

Family and friends were of utmost importance to Mary Nairn. She loved family vacations and travel, especially extended stays in Europe and Mexico on Jack’s sabbatical leaves with him and their children.  She enjoyed literary groups, opera, classical music, and playing bridge well into her 90’s.  She volunteered for voter registration, blood donation clinics, and Hospice, always wanting to “give back.”  

Mary Nairn was an excellent knitter, seamstress, and creator of Halloween and theater costumes for her children. Not liking to be in the spotlight, she’d shrug, “It’s not talent, it’s just what we did”, whenever anyone praised any of her work. She and 5 friends created a quilting cooperative, Patchwork Unlimited, exhibiting and marketing their artistic, evocative talents for decades.  

An unassuming role model and inspiration to many, Mary Nairn faced life full-on with grace, resilience, and composure.  Her upbringing, family, friends, and her abiding faith guided her on that journey.  A long-standing member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beloit, she relished all of her opportunities there to help others.

Mary Nairn is survived by her daughter Lisa (Mike Mossman) Hartman, and devoted grandchildren Angus Mossman,  Eli Hartman, Benjamin Rodwell, and Courtney (Seth) Tribble and many nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Jack; children, Melinda Nairn Rodwell, Pamela June Hartman, and Matthew Carl Hartman.  In addition, by her daughter-in-law, Jeanne Kerechanin; brothers, Gary Hayssen and Carl Hayssen Jr., and dear sisters-in-law, Dolores and Virginia.

Many thanks to Bristol Hospice and Oak Park Place Baraboo for their loving and excellent care of Mary Nairn.  The staff at Oak Park Place in particular, feel like family to us.

Mary Nairn will be inurned in the Joseph of Arimathea Chapel Columbarium, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Beloit, WI. 

Services are yet to be determined and will be updated here.

Donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Beloit, https://www.stpaulsbeloit.org/  or to a nature conservation charitable foundation of your choice.

In lieu of flowers, please go out and have a look around.



Condolences

Mary Easland October 26, 2024

Family friend Beloit , Wisconsin

Our most sincere condolences to the Hartman family, Susan was a truly lovely person. An inspiration to each of us. We cherish the memories of her friendship.

Diane Daulton October 27, 2024

Colleague Saxon , Wisconsin

While I only know you peripherally, losing a mom is universal. Hang in there and remember the fond, funny, and silly moments you had together. Hope our country can come to see the love and patience our parents' generation had for one another soon. Take care.