Marsha K. Hartmann

1952 - 2025

Marsha K. Hartmann

August 18, 1952 - April 5, 2025

Marsha K. Hartmann, 72, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Gundersen Medical Center La Crosse, Wis., after a brief illness. She was born on August 18,1952, to Myron and Marilyn (Eckelberg) Althaus in Madison, Wis. She graduated from James Madison Memorial High School in 1970. Marsha then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a degree in Interior Design. She later obtained a second degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) from the Madison Area Technical College.

On May 19, 1973, Marsha and Jerome "Jerry" were united in marriage in an ecumenical wedding service at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis. This began a lifetime of love and cherished memories. In 2025 they would have celebrated 52 years of marriage.

Marsha is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; two daughters, Allisa Anne Hartmann, of Mt. Horeb, Wis., Rebecca Lynn (James) Sawyer, of Tomah, Wis.; and two grandsons, Aethyn and Greyson Sawyer. Her sister, Rhonda Althaus; and nieces, Valerie Breneman and Stacia Allen. Her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and David Loeffelholz; and nephew and nieces, Brian Loeffelholz, Brenda Juleen, and Beth Midthun. She had an especially close bond with her son-in-law, James Sawyer, who Marsha considered the son she never had. Both enjoyed the theater, and they would often have a "Movie Date Night" together. She also considered him to be her go to IT guy who would fix her many computer glitches and decipher her complex passwords, which often got many laughs.

Her parents, Myron and Marilyn Althaus preceded her in death.

In 1978, Marsha began her career at the Tomah VA Medical Center doing administrative and clerical work for a variety of departments. After getting her second degree, the majority of her VA career was spent working in the rehab department at the Tomah VA as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She especially enjoyed working and helping Veterans who were visually impaired. While at the VA she was an active participant of the local Toastmasters Club. She retired from the VA in 2008.

After retirement Marsha and Jerry did considerable worldwide traveling with family and also friends they met along the way. Some of Marsha's favorite countries to visit were Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Norway, New Zealand, Egypt and Austria. Special surprise "Mystery Mini Tours" with Joan and Dave Loeffelholz were also some of her favorite local adventures.

During her lifetime Marsha had many loves. First and foremost was her immediate family. But Marsha was also a social butterfly who treasured and loved her many friends. Everyone who knew Marsha enjoyed her company. Marsha also had a very special lifelong friendship with Hildegard, her third-grade pen pal from Austria. Hildegard came to America for the first time to attend Marsha's wedding. They remained very good friends and met several times over the years.

Marsha loved being artistic and creative whether it be in the form of quilting, sewing, cake decorating, watercolor painting, or any other challenging craft or art projects. She absolutely adored her two grandsons, Aethyn and Greyson Sawyer who affectionately called her "Mia" because as very young children "Marsha" came out as "Mia" to them and so she forever became "Mia". Teaching them how to cook, bake and decorate yearly gingerbread houses as well as cleaning up their messes brought "Mia" endless joy!

Marsha recently discovered a passion for genealogy researching her family history with newly discovered second cousins Gayle and Kate.

As an animal lover, Marsha adored her many rescue pets she cared for over the years. Currently, her little Min pin, Chloe was the love of her life. While in the hospital Marsha was eagerly looking forward to holding her little fury friend again soon.

Finally we leave you with one of Marsha's famous ways of ending personal conversations, "Well.....Carry On!"

A Prayer service will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah, Wis. Pastor Dawn Lindberg to officiate. Visitation to follow from 4 to 7 p.m.

Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marsha's memory are requested to go to either the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org) or locally to Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter.