Mary Hartenberger

ROCKFORD - Mary Lea Hartenberger was born April 1, 1938 to M.B. & Marline Howard & passed on to eternal bliss on August 4, 2023. Married Maurice Hartenberger on June 15, 1957.

As if having raised 5 sons wasn’t enough time with children for her, she also ran an in-home daycare for several years and was then a founder of Little Lambs Daycare Center at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She felt extremely blessed to have a loving, forgiving Lord, her large family and the most wonderful friends!

Survived by sons Steve (Karen), Mike (Kathy), Bill (Caroline) and Gregg; grandchildren Kristi, Kevin (Rachel), Casey (Kathleen), Kylie (Jake), Samantha (Zach), Andrea (Blake), Billy (Aislinn), Carly (Trent), Melody (Blake), Justin, Mandy (Blake); great-grandchildren Logan, Parker, Teddy, Autumn, Brooke, Zachary, Logan, Audrey, Maddox and Henley; special cousins Miriam (Tim) Hill & family & Meagan Brinker; sister Dorothy (Willie) Brewer & family and brother Louis.

Predeceased by husband Maury, son Joe, granddaughter Amy, special cousin Lois Brinker, parents and brothers Bobby & Weldon.

We are grateful for the outstanding care Mom received from Gregg, Melody, Bill, Caroline, OSF hospice in Rockford, IL and Promedica Hospice in Wautoma, WI during her illness. Having experienced different types of cancer, Mom donated her body for research.

Visitation will be from 9:30 - 11:15 a.m. Saturday, September 9th, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church (northwest). 4881 Kilburn (corner of Riverside & Kilburn), Rockford, IL 61101.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Endowment Fund or Rockford Lutheran School for tuition assistance.