MICHAEL OTTO HARTMANN

Michael Otto Hartmann

January 17, 1953-January 7, 2022

Michael Otto Hartmann, age 68, of rural Gibbon, MN died on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. on Monday, January 17, 2022, at St. Willibrord’s Catholic Church in Gibbon. Father Mark Steffl will celebrate the Mass, and burial will take place in the Clear Lake Baptist Cemetery in rural Gibbon which overlooks his farm.

Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, and continue from 10-11 a.m. on Monday at St. Willibrord’s Catholic Church in Gibbon.

Michael Otto Hartmann was born January 17, 1953, in New Ulm, MN to Otto Sr. and Mary Jane (Wendinger) Hartmann. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Willibrord’s Catholic Church in Gibbon. Mike was a 1971 graduate from Gibbon High School, and later attended South Central Technical College in Mankato for two years where he studied Agriculture Production.

Mike was united in marriage to Diane Marcella Bargmann on June 1, 1974, in Glencoe. The couple lived on their farm south of Gibbon where they raised their four children, farmed the land and milked cows. They built a barn in 1975, a new house in 1991, and the creamery in 1996.

Michael was interested in practicing organic farming and rotational grazing with his Dutch Belt cows. He was also interested in experimenting with different crop varieties, and strived to produce quality farm products. He extensively studied about the law and legal freedoms. He enjoyed polka dancing and listening to his polka music. Mike played sheepshead and enjoyed a trip to Puerto Rico. He enjoyed socializing and was the guy that many came to with questions seeking his words of advice on a variety of things including the many aspects of farming.

More recently, he enjoyed his time in his bakery and was known for his famous cinnamon rolls and fruitcake. As grandpa, he greatly enjoyed his time with his grandchildren. He taught them to “pig-fish” and took them on countless 4-wheeler rides. He taught them about so many things of the farm life, and of course being the “instigator” type of grandpa that he was, he could never resist an opportunity to pick on his grandkids. Many shoes, hats, and mittens “mysteriously” disappeared when it was time for the grandkids to go home, and he good-naturedly took all the teasing that the grandkids gave back to him. These memories and countless others will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all who knew him best.

Mike is survived by his wife, Diane Hartmann of rural Gibbon; his daughters, Rosanne (Ryan) Freitag of Hector, Karen Lyimo of Gibbon; his sons, Jason (Angie) Hartmann of Lafayette, Curtis (Krista) Hartmann of Winthrop; his grandchildren, Kyanne Freitag, Kaitlin (Ben) Orbeck, Riley Freitag, Aaron Freitag, Matthew Freitag, Kendra Lyimo, Skylar Lyimo, Peyton Lyimo, Audrey Lyimo, Owen Hartmann, Karli Hartmann, Madalyn Hartmann; his great-grandson, Arnold Orbeck; his sisters, Lenora (Jerome) Zitzman of New Ulm, Mary Ellen (Melvin) Eckstein of Fairfax, Jermayne (Duane) Mages-Kuss of Cold Spring; his brothers, Roger (Janet) Hartmann of Kansas, Otto Jr. (Bonnie) Hartmann of Gibbon, Greg (Ann) Hartmann of Gibbon; his sister-in-law, Cory Hartmann of Sioux Falls, SD; father-in-law, Elroy Bargmann of Glencoe; and his brothers-in-law, Russel and Bruce Bargmann of Glencoe.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto Sr. and Mary Jane Hartmann; his mother-in-law, Marcella Bargmann; his brother, Warren Hartmann; and his brother-in-law, Duane Mages.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Home of Gibbon is assisting the family with arrangements at this time. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org