Carolyn Mae Hartman

Carolyn Mae (Kautz) Hartman, 83, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully on September 15.

Carolyn was born at Harrisburg Hospital on March 28, 1940. She was the daughter of Sherwood Kautz and Charlotte (Miller) Kautz.

Her early years were spent in Harrisburg before moving with her parents and sister to Good Hope Road by the old mill in Mechanicsburg. As a child she could be found pushing kittens around in a baby carriage and as she got older, exercising horses when Good Hope Road was a dirt road. Carolyn graduated from Cumberland Valley High School in 1958. She was active in many activities including softball and was proud of her pie baking ribbons! After graduation she worked at Murphy's in Mechanicsburg.

She married the love of her life, Donald, on June 4, 1961. Soon after they moved to their forever home, just a quarter of mile down the road from her parents. Carolyn loved gardening, flowers, sewing, crafting, cats, was a lifelong book lover, and later in life became a big fan of Shark Week! But most of all she loved being a mom. When her children were a bit older, Carolyn went to work for, and retired from, Book of the Month Club in Mechanicsburg. She will be remembered for her cackle of a laugh, her smile and sense of humor.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald E. Hartman and son Donald S. Hartman.

She is survived by her daughter Jodie Lynn Ruediger, son-in-law James Ruediger, granddaughter Virginia Ruediger, her sister Alice (Kautz) Amos, 5 nieces and a nephew. Carolyn was cherished by her family and will be deeply missed.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family, handled by Myers-Baker Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to an animal shelter.