Doris C. Hartman, age 90, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at her home with family by her side.
Doris was born on December 15, 1934, in Barnes, WI, to the late Harvey C. and Ruby (Trovillo) Smith. On August 6, 1976, Doris married Walter K. Hartman in Waukegan, IL. He preceded her in death on August 10, 1989.
Doris was retired from the Manitowoc Public School System, where she worked as a librarian in several Manitowoc elementary schools. She was known for her genuine love of community, and especially the children within it.
Doris will be remembered for her enthusiasm and love of life, her quick wit, and her sense of humor. She held a wide range of interests, which was evident in her involvement in many local organizations that were dear to her heart, including the Capitol Civic Centre, the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra, the Rahr-West Art Museum, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which named her Manitowoc’s first female member. She was also a member of First Lutheran Church of Manitowoc; the non-fiction book club, Clio; and the former play group, Thalia. Doris served on the City of Manitowoc Ethics Board under Mayor Justin Nickels; was active in Manitowoc’s Sister City Program with Kamogawa, Japan; and was reverently dubbed Queen of the Stage Door Pub, which appealed to her sense of “fun.” She will be dearly missed by all of those who were lucky enough to know her over the years.
Survivors include Doris’ daughter, Leslie (Terry) Schmidt, Scottsdale, AZ; two grandchildren, Teagun Schmidt and Rylee Schmidt, Scottsdale, AZ; sister, Ethyl Karl, Manitowoc; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Hartman; parents, Harvey and Ruby Smith; son, Jeffrey Hoffman; two brothers, Robert Smith and William Smith; and sister, Myrle Vandenplas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Pastor Andrew Wendle officiating. Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Doris’ name that will be used to benefit organizations that were important to her.
Doris’ family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the wonderful caregivers who cared for Doris in recent years, extending special gratitude to Laura Hayes-Stoeger and Pam Hibbard.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair Streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
