Cover photo for Judith Lynn Hartzler's Obituary
Judith Lynn Hartzler Profile Photo
1942 Judith 2017

Judith Lynn Hartzler

August 11, 1942 — December 15, 2017

Judy Hartzler, wife of Robert (Bob) Hartzler of Garden City, Missouri, passed away on December 15, 2017, in the Belton Research Hospital, Belton, Missouri, after a strong battle against painful back issues, lung problems, and a virulent strain of cancer.

Judith (Judy) Lynn Douglas, youngest daughter of the late Flossie and Willard Douglas of Creighton, Missouri, was born on August 11, 1942. Judy grew up in Creighton and attended the Creighton schools all 12 years of her educational life. Along with her mother and sister, she attended the Creighton Baptist Church.

Judy had many friends in the small town of Creighton, and she always seemed to have a smile and a positive outlook on life. She grew up in a music-loving family with a father who could play many instruments and siblings who all sang at family get-togethers and in church. Like most of her friends at that age, she developed a life-time crush on Elvis Presley. She also loved school, and she participated in almost all of the sports offered in the school while she was there. She was a cheerleader in her middle school years, but eventually became totally immersed in basketball due to the influence of her older sister, Janice. Playing basketball as a girl back in years when girl’s teams consisted of an un-crossable center line, Judy and Janice as two of the forwards, along with excellent guards assisted the Creighton Tigresses through many winning seasons.

She was preceded in death by her grandson Brandon Atkinson, three infant Douglas children and her three older beloved sisters, JoAnne Miller of East Lynne, Missouri, Jean Wagoner of Clinton, Missouri, and Janice Coy of Kansas City, Missouri. She is survived by a loving husband, Robert Hartzler of Garden City, a loving son, Randy Knisely of Independence, three Hartzler daughters who became her own Cristi Hartzler of Aurora, CO , Debbie Atkinson of Garden City, and Bobbie Ulibarri of Denver, CO, and her brother, Bill Douglas of Merritt Island, Florida. She also leaves behind five saddened grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and their families.

Just like her mom, Judy left us at one of her favorite times of the year, the Christmas Season. She loved getting out her tree, decorating her house, and especially shopping for her family. Judy loved her combined Douglas/Hartzler family and all of her friends intensely, and she was most contented when she was at home in her house on the farm. If she was not there, you could usually find her and Bob at either The Old Cedar drinking coffee with friends or with friends at their favorite table at Eric’s in Garden City on Taco Night. Judy’s nature has always been that of a nurturing mother hen and peacemaker. She always looked for the good in people, and refused to dwell on the bad or evil. She could always be counted on for support in any way for any of her extensive family members or friends. We have all benefited in some way from her generosity and “giving” nature, and we will all miss her terribly for the rest of our lives. Dearest Judy: Beloved wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend—we love you. Rest in Peace.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith Lynn Hartzler, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

12:30 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

Dickey Funeral Homes Inc. - Garden City

711 Old Highway 7, Garden City, MO 64747

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

Dickey Funeral Homes Inc. - Garden City

711 Old Highway 7, Garden City, MO 64747

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 11

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree