Lester Hartter

L ester Harold Hartter was born March 4, 1916, on a farm southwest of Bern, Kansas, to Benjamin and Mary Meyer Hartter.  He passed away at the Apostolic Christian Care Home in Sabetha, KS on August 29, 2015 at the age of 99 ½ years.  Lester attended 8 years of schooling near Bern.  As a young school boy, he developed his love for the outdoors, farming, and livestock.

He went on to be an active dairy and livestock farmer in the community.  On April 6, 1941, Lester was joined in marriage to Ella Loree Aeschliman Hartter.  Four children were born to this union; one daughter, Nancy Baumgartner, and three sons, Stephen, Lynn, and Neil.  Lester was a man of strong faith.  He was converted at the age of 21 and became a member of the Apostolic Christian Church.  He was ordained as a minister in 1945 and served as elder from 1960 to 1988.   He was a loving example to many with his quiet spirit, kind heart, and foundation in the truth. In 1978, Lester and Ella retired from farming in the Bern community and moved to make their home in Sabetha.  They celebrated their 50 ^th wedding anniversary in 1991.  In February of 1994, they moved to the Apostolic Christian West Retirement Village.  His beloved wife died November 15, 1994.   Lester was active in his community and served on several boards.  He was involved with the beginning of the Apostolic Christian Nursing Care Home as one of the original charter board members.

Survivors include son-in-law, Leonard Baumgartner of Sabetha; sons, Steve (Lois) Hartter of Sabetha,   Lynn (Barb) Hartter of Topeka, and Neil (Evelyn) Hartter of Bern.  He also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.   Surviving siblings are Erma Priest of Raytown, Missouri; Lavonne McGinity of Overland Park, Kansas, and Clyde Hartter of Frisco, Texas.  Preceding him in death were his wife Ella, his daughter Nancy Baumgartner, one great grand-daughter Natalie Baumgartner.  Siblings preceding him were sister’s Eloise Bahr, Marie Grimm, and Helen Lobnitz, and brother Virgil Hartter.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bern Apostolic Christian Church.  A visitation will be held one hour before service time at the church.  The interment will be made at the Bern Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jeff Baumgartner, Jay Baumgartner, Mark Hartter, Scott Hartter, Eric Hartter, Curt Hartter, Chris Hartter, and Ryan Hartter. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bern Apostolic Christian Church or the Apostolic Christian Home sent in care of the funeral home, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.