Barbara Jean Hartman

Barbara Jean “Bobbi” Hartman passed away Monday, September 21, 2026 at her home in Arthur Surrounded by her family.

Barbara Jean Hartman, better known to many as Bobbi or Bobbi Jean, was born November 22, 1930, in the Baled Hay House in Arthur, Nebraska, a home built by her grandfather, Ed Martin. She was the daughter of Peter “Brad” Wilson and Harriett Martin Wilson and grew up on the family ranch alongside her beloved brother, Duane. Because there were several Barbaras in the family, she became known as Bobbi Jean, or BJ, from an early age.

Barbara’s roots ran deep in Arthur County, and she was proud to call Arthur home for her entire life. She began school at the age of four, attending the rural schools of Arthur County for her elementary education. She attended high school in Ogallala for two years before returning to Arthur County High School, where she graduated in 1947. She boarded with Glenn and Iris Finn while attending school in Arthur.

Barbara began her teaching career in 1947 at District 8 in Arthur County at just 17 years old. Over the years, she taught in Dist. 1, 4, 7, 8, 27, 32, and later taught seventh- and eighth-grade English and social studies in town after many of the rural schools closed. She was dedicated to and proud of her students and continued attending summer classes at Chadron State College, earning college hours to keep her teaching certificate current. In all, she taught for 35 years before retiring, but retirement did not keep her away from the classroom for long. She continued working as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional for several more years, always willing to help wherever she was needed. She was honored as Teacher of the Year, an accomplishment she was especially proud of.

On June 19, 1949, Barbara married Garnet Hartman. Together they raised four children: son Randy and daughters Terria, Karen, and Vicki. Barbara was a devoted mother, but she was also a working ranch wife who never hesitated to roll up her sleeves and help with whatever needed to be done. Haying, cattle work, horses, and the many demands of ranch life were simply part of everyday life for her. As Garnet's heart problems became more serious, Barbara became an even greater help to him and to the operation of their ranch.

The family lived in several places during their early years before settling on the Frank Lane place in western Arthur County, where Barbara and Garnet built their own cowherd. In 1965, they moved to the Ralph Hartman ranch, where they remained. Garnet passed away on November 27, 1983.

After Garnet passed away, Barbara continued to operate and grow the ranch with help from family, including her son-in-law Bud Hanna and later other family members. She was a strong, independent woman who took great pride in keeping the ranch going. Barbara moved to town in 2006 to help care for her mother, Harriett, until her mother's death in 2008. She still remained closely connected to the ranch, managing ranch decisions until her last days, occasionally still working in the hayfield or fencing when she noticed something that needed fixed.

Barbara loved the ranch, horses, and rodeo. She was an accomplished horsewoman and rider and even enjoyed some trick roping. In 1948, she was crowned the first Ogallala Rodeo Queen, won the 3 Event women’s division at the Arthur County Fair. She was deeply honored to receive the Aksarben 100-Year Ranch Award. At the age of 90, she was honored as Grand Marshal of the Arthur County Fair riding horseback in the grand entry—an especially fitting recognition for a woman whose life was so deeply intertwined with the ranching and rodeo heritage of Arthur County.

Barbara also knew how to enjoy life. Whenever she had free time, she loved to dance, play cards, travel, and do a little gambling. She traveled to Hawaii, British Columbia, and a special trip to Spain with her daughter, Karen and grandson, Cory to visit an exchange student. She treasured her time with family and especially loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in school activities, sports, and rodeos.

Her family was the greatest source of pride in her life. She was blessed with four children, nine grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She took great joy in watching each generation grow and make their own memories. She was always interested in what her family was doing and was there to cheer them on.

In her later years, Barbara enjoyed the companionship of her very special friend, Pat Aylward of Wallace. The two shared many hours visiting, dancing, and playing cards and enjoyed keeping each other active. Their friendship brought Barbara much love and happiness.

Barbara often spoke about why Arthur was so special to her. It was a quiet and peaceful place, a community where people knew one another and could be counted on. She loved that when people met on the street, there was always a friendly, “Hello, how are you today?” She was proud that Arthur was her home and proud of the history her family had built there.

Barbara witnessed tremendous changes during her lifetime—from rural one-room schools and ranch life to the addition of electricity, telephones, television, computers, the internet, improved roads, and new methods of teaching. Through it all, she remained proud of her community, her country, her family, and her heritage. She hoped future generations would remember where they came from, be proud of their history, and understand the importance of being respectful, honest, lawful, and good citizens.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Garnet; her parents, Brad and Harriett Wilson; her brother, Duane Wilson; and her grandson, Craig Hartman.

She leaves behind her four children: Randy Hartman, Terria (John) Hampton, Karen (Bud) Hanna, and Vicki (Darrell) Barnum. Nine grandchildren; Tammie (Mark) Swanson, Shawn (Tara) Hanna, Angie (Darrin) Munson, Cory (Selena) Hanna, Jay D (Toni) Powers, James (Jennifer) Hartman, Blake (Sarah) Hampton, Cameron (Julie) Powers, Shaylee (Braka) Matlock. 29 great-grandchildren: Rylan Swanson, Reese Swanson, Kylee (Elijah) Smith, Ella Munson, Grayson Munson, Kapri Calleroz-Hampton, Harper Hampton, Hendrik Hampton, Jackson Hampton, Oaklyn Hampton, Piper (Ceaghan) Holder, Brannon Hanna, Sage Hanna, Bryce Hanna, Jaycen Hanna, Zac Hanna, Hazel Hanna, Brianna (Casey) Powers, Katie (Josh) Cox, Kinnley (Zack) Smith, Rachael Kemp, Brieannah (Brandon Spellins) Hartman, Raiden Hartman, Curtis Powers, Jacob Powers, Chaisley Powers, Desarae Gonzalez, Dominic Gonzalez, Darius Matlock, 5 bonus grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, (with 3 more on the way); her special friend, Pat Aylward; and many dear friends and neighbors whose lives were touched by her.

Barbara spent 95 years loving her family, working the land, teaching children, supporting her community, enjoying rodeo and ranch life, and making memories. Arthur was not simply where she lived, it was home. It was where she was born, where she raised her family, where she worked, where she made lifelong friendships, and where she was proud to belong.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Arthur County High School Gym in Arthur, NE. Rev. Blake Wilkes of the Arthur Baptist Church will be officiating. Memorials have been established in her memory for later designation. There will be no visitation. Interment will be in the Arthur Cemetery, Arthur,NE.

Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com Services will be live streamed from www.drauckerfh.com

Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.