Gerald E Hartley

Gerald Hartley, age 89, long – time resident of Clark, was welcomed into heaven peacefully and pain free after a brief battle with cancer and into the arms of Mike (Myra) his soulmate and love of his life.  He died on Saturday, November 5, 2016 in the Golden Living Center at Clark.  Gerald's last memories are of his family and an amazing group of friends at the Look Out.

A Private family service was held on Sunday, November 6 at Noon at the Furness Funeral home in Clark  Private burial will be at a later date.

Gerald was born in Garden City on June 16, 1927, the son of Jesse James and Carrie (Clyde) Hartley.  He spent his childhood on the farm enjoying life with his family.  He attended primary and junior high school at Garden City and then went to work for the Railroad.

On May 20, 1961 he was united in marriage to Myra "Mike" Claussen.   While living in Garden City and Clark, he harvested potatoes for the Larkin Potato Company and drove gravel truck for Clausen Construction.   In the 1970's, Gerald and Glen Schultz formed S&H Construction, their own gravel and road grading company.   He owned and operated this company until his retirement in the late 1990's.  While Mike managed the Imperial Lounge, better known as the "Hill" on West Highway 212, Gerald was always by her side.  Gerald was "personality personified."  He was happiest when socializing and being with people —known for his endless supply of jokes, stories and comments that made people laugh.   In the 1980's, together they purchased the White Warrior Lounge and renamed it Mike's Time Out. Gerald and Mike owned and operated the business until their final retirement in the early 2000's.

Gerald was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.  He loved to spend time with his wife at their trailer on Lake Oahe and fish in tournaments with Cousin Lloyd and his brother Larry.  He also enjoyed spending time at the Look Out with friends and supporting his grandkids by attending as many of their sporting events as possible.  He could spend hours telling stories of his childhood, recalling precious family moments and stories of various exploits that one should not repeat  He was extremely proud of each of his grandchildren and beyond proud of what amazing adults they all have become.

Grateful for having shared in his life is a son Jerry "Sam" Hartley and wife Robin of Clark, a daughter Mary Steffen and husband Mike of Watertown; Five grandchildren, Christopher, Cooper, Braxton, Taylor Hartley and Susan Steffen; one great grandchild, Tanner; siblings Richard and wife Sondra of Carsen City, Nevada, Larry Hartley and wife Ruth of Pierre and many amazing friends.

Greeting Gerald in Heaven are his parents, wife Myra "Mike", sister Lorraine Kelly and husband Charlie, brothers Merle and wife Anna Mae, and Harold "Hab", and numerous in laws and outlaws.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated in his memory to the Clark Area Community Foundation.