"May God bless and keep you during this difficult time.~Walt and Laura Koons"
In loving memory of
Carmen Hartling
December 26, 1958 - April 12, 2018
Carmen Mae Hartling passed away at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Thursday, April 12, 2018, following a long battle with cancer.
Carmen was born in Rockwell City, Iowa, to Ottomar and Ella Mae Sylwester on December 26, 1958. She attended a private Lutheran school through the fourth grade, then attended Rockwell City Community School until her graduation in 1977. Following graduation, Carmen attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design in 1981. Carmen worked in the travel industry as a travel agent for over 20 years following graduation, most recently for Carlson Travel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She had a son, David, by her first husband, Keith Robideau, in 1994.
In 2004 Carmen and David moved to Rockwell City, Iowa, where she married James Hartling. There they made their home on the Hartling family farm. She worked for Abstract Services of Calhoun County in Rockwell City for several years, and most recently worked as a Master Printer for Richard Black at Roetta Studios in Farnhamville, Iowa, a job that allowed her to use her creative talents and gave her a great deal of joy.
Carmen was a very nurturing, caring, and loving person and made sure that the people in her life were loved and cherished. She took great joy and pride in the many accomplishments of her son, David, including speech, drama, and musical performances. Carmen loved to travel and was able to visit many parts of the world, including Europe, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand. She was very talented artistically and used those talents to brighten the lives of friends and family. She loved animals and enjoyed all of the many dogs and cats that shared the farm with her and her family. Carmen was a member of Emanuel St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton, Iowa, as well as a member of PEO.
Carmen was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband James, her son David Robideau of Ames, Iowa, her stepdaughter Leslie Robideau of Minneapolis, Minnesota, her brothers, Lowell Sylwester of East Aurora, New York, and Roger (Marilyn) Sylwester of Seattle, Washington, nieces Jill Sylwester, Sue Sylwester-Rice, and Judy Sylwester, and nephew Steven Sylwester.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Manson, Iowa. A visitation will be held at 9:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 am. The family will conduct a private burial service at a later date. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to All Strings Attached Studio in Carroll, Iowa, are encouraged.