Georgiana Hartmann

Georgiana Mae “Jean” Hartmann-Whitehead (nee Wichtman), of Holland, MI, formerly of Westland, MI, entered Heaven on January 20, 2012 at Hospice House of Holland.

Jean was born on December 29, 1929 in Dearborn, MI to George and Leona (Brinker) Wichtman. She graduated from St. Mary’s of Redford High School in 1948. She met her husband, James Edward Hartmann, at a roller skating facility in Detroit and they fell in love. They wed in St. Suzanne’s Catholic Church, Detroit, MI, on May 21, 1949, and were married 42 years until he passed away on February 19, 1992.

Jean had a ready smile and a compassionate demeanor. She was a very active homemaker who enjoyed walking, traveling, playing cards, crocheting, sewing, and creating lovely silk flower arrangements. She was renowned for her absolutely delicious meals and desserts, her gardening and her wonderful dancing. She volunteered for two years to transport a patient to kidney dialysis treatments. Jean was a devout Catholic and was an active member and volunteer at St. Bernadine Catholic Church, Westland, MI, for over 50 years. She was honored to be awarded the St. Bernadine 1996 Female Volunteer of the Year Award. In June 2010, Jean was moved to Holland’s Appledorn Living Center-Alzheimer unit.

She was a loving and fun wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who adored her family and enjoyed being with them. She was a beautiful woman inside and out and a real class act. She had a wonderful long life and will be missed but not forgotten. We love you, always.

Jean is survived by her adoring son, James Edward (Cynthia) Hartmann, Jr. of Holland, MI; her loving granchildren: Scott James (Wendy) Hartmann of Rockford, MI, and Andrew Barry (Colleen) Hartmann of Muskegon, MI; her four sweet great-grandchildren: Kennzie, Reese, Ansel and Alexander Hartmann; her sister, Virginia (James) Horner of Englewood, FL; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, Sr., her parents, George and Leona (Brinker) Wichtman, her sister, Lucille (Wichtman) McGaffey, and two brothers, William Wichtman and Vincent Wichtman.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff members at Appledorn Living Center, Holland Hospital, and Hospice House of Holland who provided Jean with loving and compassionate care.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 152nd Avenue, Holland. Father Charles D. Hall will be officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn, next to her beloved husband, Jim.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jean’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Holland.

Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Homes-Northwood Chapel.