Josephine Lorraine File Hartman was born on February 4, 1921, to Joe and Mabel (Stilley) File on a farm east of Beloit, Kansas.
Josephine passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, at The Nicol Home in Glasco, Kansas, at the age of 103. Josephine "Josie" or "Jo", as she was also known to many, grew up on the family farm and attended Country School #3 with her brothers Duane "Bud" and Miles "Tuffy" File. She graduated from Beloit High School, where she was the first Homecoming Football Queen in 1940.
On September 13, 1942, she married the love of her life, Charles "Charlie" Hartman. Ten days after their marriage, Charlie left for basic training for WWII and spent almost three years, mostly in Europe, away from Josie. Upon Charlie's return to Kansas, they lived on the family farm where they farmed wheat, milo, and hay, as well as raised cattle, chickens and sheep. They were married for 71 years when Charlie passed away in January 2014. Josie continued to live on the family farm until she was 102.
In her younger years and until Charlie returned home from the service, Josie managed the lunch and fountain counter at Duckwalls. There she was known for making the famous ham salad sandwich which she continued to make for family.
Aside from farming, Charlie and Josie enjoyed playing cards and took trips to the lake for camping, fishing, and boating, where friends and grandchildren often joined them. They also traveled to Texas for several winters and went on countless Army reunion trips. Their shed was the venue for many family gatherings, where family and close friends celebrated milestone birthdays and anniversaries.
Josie was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Beloit First Christian Church, Beloit Country Club and Bridge Group, Qui Bene Club and Pinochle Club. She was also a part of the Pollyanna ladies' group in Scottsville, where she quilted and crafted until the year she moved to Nicol Home. Her Pollyanna group and Pastor Al from Scottsville made a special visit (one of several) to Nicol Home this year on her 103rd birthday.
Josie was known for her amazing cooking and crafting, including homemade hot chocolate, jalapeño jelly, caramel corn, sweet pickles, Christmas stockings, macramé chairs, and afghans, as well as lit framed Christmas trees adorned with special jewelry and holiday bunnies that she and Charlie partnered in making. She was the family historian, mailing endless birthday, anniversary, and well-wishing cards, and keeping notes of visitors, rainfall amounts, calls, and anything else she could squeeze into her calendar squares.
Josie always welcomed friends and family with coffee and typically had a sweet snack to share. She loved to entertain and host hunters, hired hands, custom cutters, extended family, and friends, providing a good meal and a place to lay their heads. Her door was always open to visitors. Everyone who knew Josie loved her.
Along with Charlie, Josephine was preceded in death by her parents and brothers.
Josie is survived by her son, Larry and wife Lynn Hartman, daughter Linda and husband Ken Tolbert, both of Beloit, Kansas, and daughter Joleen Hartman of Kansas City, Missouri. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Rich Hartman, Michelle Hartman, Mike (Marla) Tolbert, Melinda (Barry) Kadel, Mark (Angie) Tolbert, Carl (Sara) Quarrato, Jennifer (Jefferson) Davis, Kathleen (Jeffrey) Wessinger, and Ryan Atkins; 21 great-grandchildren: Lilly Hartman, Jarron Tolbert, Callie Bendickson, Kaylyn (Taylor) Clevenger, Karington Kadel, Devon, Brooklyn, Luke, Mackenzie, Makayla, Clay, and Jordyn Tolbert, Carleigh, Jennie, and Michael Quarrato, Charlie, Joseph, and Quincy Davis, and Josie, Ava, and Lyla Wessinger; four great-great-grandchildren and a fifth due in December: Gemini Tolbert, Aria and Knox Bendickson, and Rayne Bobzien; sister-in-law Bonnie File; and many more relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank The Nicol Home for being her home for the past nine months, providing companionship, enjoyment, the ability to express her crafting talents, and the opportunity to bring joy to so many people.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, at the Beloit Methodist Church, followed by lunch and burial at Scottsville Cemetery.
Visitation will take place at Roberts Funeral Home on Friday, November 15, from 1 to 7 p.m., with family present from 5 to 6 p.m.
Memorials may be made to The Nicol Home, Beloit Methodist Church Radio, First Christian Church of Beloit, or Scottsville Pollyanna Ladies and can be sent in care of Linda Tolbert, 3521 C Rd, Beloit, KS 67420.
Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com