Obituary of Wray Hartschen

Albert Wray Hartschen, the son of Albert and Marie Chaplin Hartschen was born October 18, 1933 in Brush, Colorado. He graduated from Garden Grove, Iowa Senior High in 1951. On December 1, 1962, Wray was united in marriage with Rosemary Nadine VerBeek at the First United Methodist Church in Newton, Iowa. He worked for the Maytag Company for 40 years, retiring in 1992, from Dryer Assembly. Wray was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church; U.A.W. Local #997; H.A.N.D., Inc.; and was involved with the U.A.W. P.A.C. and the Democratic Party. Wray enjoyed to water ski, golf, work crossword puzzles, watch birds, take family vacations, attend family reunions, and since his retirement, he was the chief cook and bottle washer. Wray died on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton, Iowa. He was 75 years old. Wray was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters and brothers-in-law: Avalon (Jim) Clements, Alberta Klotz, Clara (Don) Connick, Velma (Del) Dimmitt, Leona (Art) Dreisbach; and his brothers, Walter and Lloyd Hartschen. Those left to honor Wray's memory include his wife, Rosemary Hartschen of Newton; his daughters, Diane Hartschen of West Des Moines and Deb (Scott) Dobesh of Clive; his grandchildren, Cade and Madeline; his sister, Gladys Ruiz of Colorado Springs, CO; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John Klotz, Joyce Hartschen, Jeanice Hartschen, Marjorie (Bill) Rempp, Carolyne (Gary) Blom; and numerous nieces and nephews.