Joseph Hartley

Joseph F. Hartley, 76, of Seneca, WI passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital in Prairie du Chien, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, May 12 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seneca, WI with Rev. Eugene Wolf and Rev. Zacharie Beya concelebrating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Joe was born May 23, 1937 to Charles and Marian (Ryan) Hartley and grew up in the Iowa River Valley, rural New Albin. He attended Waukon area public schools and graduated in 1955. Joe served in the Marine Corps Reserves and then returned to Iowa to farm.
He married Bernadette De Florian April 8, 1961 at St. Charles Catholic Church, Genoa, WI. She preceded him in death March 16, 1994. He later married Joan Martin Sutton August 16, 1996 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Seneca, WI.
Joe was a self-employed farmer his entire career, and farmed in Iowa and Minnesota before moving to Wisconsin in 1976. He was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Seneca, WI. Joe also served in many capacities over the years with Seneca Township, and recently finished serving 20 years on the Crawford County Board. He was a man of great integrity, believed in education and hard work, and loved spending time with family and friends and restoring antique tractors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Joe is survived by his wife, Joan Hartley of Seneca, WI; two sons, Dean (Janet Wagner) Hartley and Ronald (Julie) Hartley, both of Eastman, WI; and three daughters, Ann (Dan) Boland of Stoddard, WI, Cathy (Todd) Aspenson of Seneca, WI and Joan (Steve) Pierce of Coon Valley, WI; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nine step-children; their spouses and families; and a very special nephew, Richard Nickelotti of Stoddard, WI. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Ellen (Lyle) Mohwinkle of Waukon; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Hartley and Bea De Florian; his brothers-in-law, Bud (Joyce) De Florian, Michael Lucey and Sonny Lord; and many nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Bernadette Hartley; his parents, Charles and Marian Hartley; three brothers, Dr. James, Thomas and Charles Hartley; and a great-granddaughter, Ashlynn Aspenson-Keepers.
The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien, WI assisted the family.