Carol Emma (Stier) Hartman. Age 85, passed away peacefully with family at her side after a brief battle with recurring cancer on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at Windom Area Health.

Carol was born March 1, 1941 in Belle Plaine, MN to Elmer and Marvel (Schmidt) Stier. She was the oldest of five siblings and was raised on the family farm, where she developed a deep appreciation for the miracle of life and nature's amazing beauty.

Carol graduated from Belle Plaine HS in the class of 1959 and attended Wartburg College for two years. Shortly after, Carol married her HS sweetheart, Larry Hartman, on February 3, 1962. After living the first few years in Mankato, MN, the couple decided to settle in Windom and make it their long-term home. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, David and Bill, and later, an adopted infant daughter, Anne.

Carol's career began as a medical records administrator for Windom Area Hospital for many years. Following that, she was a tireless advocate, volunteer and leader for many organizations in the area. Carol dedicated her life to helping those in need and championing the greater good for her community. Carol didn't just talk about making the world a better place; she lived it daily. Her passion and energy was unwavering; serving as a Cottonwood and Jackson County Guardian ad Litem, advocating for minors

in the court system, serving three terms on the Windom Public School Board, two of those terms as school board chair, acting for decades as Relay For Life volunteer/organizer/fund raiser, serving as an election voting judge, helping grieving families with Compassionate Friends and serving many patients and families as a tireless Hospice volunteer. She spent countless hours volunteering, always ready to lend a helping hand. As recognition for her compassionate care for others, Carol was nominated for, and received, the Mayor's Medal of Honor Good Neighbor Award for her watchful care of elderly neighbors in need of assistance. Her passions & hobbies included spending precious time with her grandchildren & great-grandchildren, playing bridge, golfing, sewing, spending time at her Fish Lake cabin and many summer family trips to the Rockies and national parks. She loved and cherished her many friends and enjoyed her visits with cousins, nieces and nephews.

Carol believed deeply in the value of education and encouraged others to pursue college degrees and lifelong learning, regardless of age. She turned this belief into action by creating the Anne Hartman Memorial Scholarship Fund in remembrance of her daughter Anne, providing scholarships for nearly 40 years. She also went on to complete her bachelor's degree later in life at Mankato State. She stayed well-informed on current events, loved spirited conversation, and was never shy about sharing her

opinions!

Carol is survived by her sons, David (Tracy) Hartman, Tracy CA and Bill (Debbie) Hartman, Wadena MN; grandchildren, Alyssa Hartman, Nicole (Nathan) Marquart, Macy (Luke) Selken, Paige (Nick) Carlson and Libby Hartman; 2 great grand children, Jackson Marquart and Bridget Selken; brother, Dale Stier and sister, Lynne Stier, and many close friends, nieces and nephews. Also survived by Anne's birthmother and close family friend, Brenda Strenge & daughter Carol Anne, close friend Jill Meyer, and her beloved feline companion, Miss Bergen.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Elmer & Marvel (Schmidt) Stier, her husband Larry, daughter Anne, grandsons Benjamin and Ryan Hartman, sister Lois (Stier) Plantikow and Brother David Stier.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Windom Country Club on September 19 th at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to continue Carol's legacy of volunteering & helping others by reaching out to a neighbor in need and volunteering to benefit the greater community and country. This, we believe, would be the best tribute to her extraordinary life. The family requests that donations be made in Carol's memory to Windom Relay For Life and Reinbows, Inc., of Windom.

May God bless your faithful servant Carol, and may her memory be eternal.