Celebrating her 100th birthday, Mary Hartmann,
center, is surrounded by (l to r) her son, Edgar Hartmann,
Senator Kevin Engler, and daughter Marilyn
Willenburg. - Submitted photo
Having 100 candles on a birthday cake is not an everyday experience. But on
December 8, 2007, Mary Alice (Trautman) Hartmann had just that as she celebrated her 100th
birthday with family and friends at Camelot Nursing & Rehab Center where she now
resides.
Senator Kevin Engler was on hand to present Mary with a plaque from the State of Missouri
commemorating her milestone birthday.
Mary Trautman was born December 8, 1907 in Bloomsdale, and was raised on her parent’s
farm there the oldest of seven children. She can still recall riding to school on
horseback or in the family buggy, and most vividly the time the buggy was swept away in a
flooded river and they were rescued by their father.
She attended high school in Ste. Genevieve and was one of five members of the
school’s first graduating class in 1925. When the school celebrated its 75th
anniversary in 2000, Mary was the Parade Marshall as the last surviving member of that
original class.
After graduation, she moved to St. Louis and worked for Union Electric. She married her
husband, Edgar Hartmann, Sr. on New Year’s Day 1929. The couple continued to make
their home in St. Louis near Carondelet Park, where they raised their two children, Edgar,
Jr. and Marilyn. The couple were married for more than 60 years before Edgar’s death.
Mary’s interests were typical of that day: raising her family, tending a small
garden, cooking, canning, and baking. She and Edgar loved to square dance and she made all
of their costumes, as well as those for the others in their group.
Family members who hosted the party were: Mary’s daughter Marilyn Hartmann Willenburg
of Bellview, son Edgar, Jr. and his wife Allene Hartmann of Monet, Mo. and their
daughter Lisa Schule and her two children, Emma and Kevin of Kirkwood. Besides her son and
daughter, Mary’s family extends to 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 2
great-great-grandchildren.
Mary now makes her home at Camelot Nursing & Rehab Center in Farmington, and enjoys
visiting with her family and members of the staff. Still in good health, Mary prefers to
throw kisses to those she loves rather than talking much. And, when you’re 100, it's
the thought that counts!
(Published in Daily Journal, January 15, 2008) |