Ann Marie Hartman

Ann Marie Hartman (Spragle) passed away on November 19, 2012, after a 10 1/2 year battle with cancer.

Ann was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on August 3, 1964, the daughter of Larry and Mary Spragle. She graduated from Waterloo Central High School in 1982, and went on to graduate from Luther College with a degree in vocal music in 1986 followed by receiving a Masters of Music from UNO in 1997. Following college, Ann toured with a music group from Lutheran Youth Encounter before serving as Youth Director at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jackson, Minn. From 1992-1999, Ann joyfully taught music within the Council Bluffs Community School district along with teaching piano lessons for years after, touching lives through her gift of music. Ann and Scott Hartman were married on July 29, 1995, and have two children, Brendan and Hayley. Ann deeply loved God, her family, and her friends.

A truly genuine person, Ann had the ability to climb into your heart and settle there; all you had to do was meet her once and your life was affected. Those who have known her for short or long periods of time have been privileged. An active member of Saint John Lutheran Church, Ann was generous with her faith, sharing it openly and boldly. She directed multiple music groups, led the children's Christmas programs, volunteered for VBS, and wore multiple hats at church. She was active in her community and received the "Spirit of Courage" award from Jennie Edmundson Hospital in 2008, being quoted saying, "I am resilient to focus on the positives of life and not dwell on the illness. Live your life busier than before." She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and faith community.

Ann is survived by her husband, Scott, and their two children, Brendan, 15 and Hayley, 13; along with her parents, Larry and Mary Spragle, of Waterloo; and brothers, Greg Spragle (Jan), of Coralville, Iowa, Dan Spragle (Susan), of Milton, Ga. She is also survived by her father and mother-in-law, Cal and Diane Hartman, of South Sioux City, Neb.; sister and brother-in-law, Tami and Barry Walker, of Council Bluffs; and beloved niece and nephews.

Visitation will be at Saint John Lutheran Church Friday, November 23, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Saint John on Saturday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m. Memorials will be directed to Saint John Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.