Cathryn "Cathy" Mary Hartman Lydon, 59, of Freeport, died Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Monroe Clinic, Monroe, Wisconsin.
Born to the parents of Mary Cathryn (Comer) and Kenneth Norbert Hartman, Cathryn Mary Hartman began her life on March 1, 1954. Her brothers, Doug
Ledford of Jacksonville, Florida, Ken Hartman of Carlsbad, California, and Tom Hartman of Freeport, shared her life experiences as a child. Growing up on a small farm east of Freeport provided the building blocks of her life to come. Fishing, swimming, ice skating, and constant exploration of nature, whether it be birds or plant life with her faithful Dalmatian "Freckles", were just some of her favorite hobbies. Baseball and football games with her brothers and go-cart racing around the farm proved she wasn't just a girl. Cathy's education began at Currier Country School through 5th grade and then onto Taylor Park Elementary. Cathy always said that her experiences at Currier made her a better-focused student, with so many different classes taking place at the same time. Cathy was a member of the Freeport Pretzels swim team and also became a certified life guard. She loved school and graduated with honors as one of the proud Pretzels Class of 1972.
Excited about learning and exploration, Cathy's college career included studies at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, Highland Community College, the University of Salzburg, Austria, and receiving her Degree in Business from NIU. While studying in Europe, Cathy traveled extensively on Europe's rail system always looking for a new adventure and an opportunity for study. Cathy's first job was that of a cub reporter for the Freeport Journal Standard for two years. Learning the "who, what, when, where and whys" of reporting enhanced her understanding of investigative skills as well as the background for the ins and outs of city business.
For her next adventure, Cathy joined the family wholesale beverage distribution business. Hartman Beverage Company was founded in 1945 by her father, "Kenny or Dad" as he was known to many. In 1986, Cathy purchased HBC and became owner and CEO. Excellent legal and financial advice assisted Cathy in staying competitive in an ever-changing market. Cathy was a member of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois and served on the Board of Directors for ABDI for 27 years and the Executive Board for an additional five years. Cathy won ABDI's highest award, the Mantino Industry Service Award; the first time it was ever awarded to a woman. Valuable employees and a "nose the grindstone" work ethic enabled HBC to remain the last beer wholesaler in Freeport.
Cathy showed great interest in the Freeport community. Being a member the Noon Rotary Club was one of her greatest pleasures. Cathy was involved in hosting GSE teams from other countries and participated with teams traveling to Sweden and Argentina. The "Service before Self" motto was part of her helping untold numbers of people and organizations, never wanting recognition or gain for her deeds. On May 19, 2007 Cathy married the love of her life and soulmate, Martin Lydon. Together they shared the interests of birding, travel, landscaping, geneology, music and the arts to name a few. Their yellow Labrador "Paddy" was most always with her, loving everyone he met.
Cathy leaves behind to husband Martin and their beloved Paddy and Kitty Henrietta, three brothers, Doug (Royette) Ledford of Jacksonville, FL., Ken (Janet) Hartman of Carlsbad, CA. and Tom (Debbie) Hartman of Freeport; two step-daughters Angela Lydon (Matthew) Strand of South Beloit, IL. and Elizabeth Rhodes of Orangeville, IL; three grandchildren, Hunter, Hudson, and Madyson, for whom she had great love and affection; six sisters-in-law, Colleen (Bill) Gift of Freeport, Jena (Jerry) Kranzler of Des Moines, IA, Ann (Drew) Munch of Traverse City, MI., Beth Lydon of Lawrence, KS, Linda (Glen) Sisco of Lander, Wyoming, and Janet (Bob) Dyer of Toledo, Ohio; nephews Doug Ledford and Jon Hartman and their families. Cathy's family would like to extend a special thank you to Monroe Hospice and Monroe Hospital for the wonderful care show to Cathy and her family.
Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Rev. Donnley Dutcher will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday 4:00 - 8:00 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. A memorial has been established in Cathy's memory. Please sign the guestbook or share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.
Born to the parents of Mary Cathryn (Comer) and Kenneth Norbert Hartman, Cathryn Mary Hartman began her life on March 1, 1954. Her brothers, Doug
Ledford of Jacksonville, Florida, Ken Hartman of Carlsbad, California, and Tom Hartman of Freeport, shared her life experiences as a child. Growing up on a small farm east of Freeport provided the building blocks of her life to come. Fishing, swimming, ice skating, and constant exploration of nature, whether it be birds or plant life with her faithful Dalmatian "Freckles", were just some of her favorite hobbies. Baseball and football games with her brothers and go-cart racing around the farm proved she wasn't just a girl. Cathy's education began at Currier Country School through 5th grade and then onto Taylor Park Elementary. Cathy always said that her experiences at Currier made her a better-focused student, with so many different classes taking place at the same time. Cathy was a member of the Freeport Pretzels swim team and also became a certified life guard. She loved school and graduated with honors as one of the proud Pretzels Class of 1972.
Excited about learning and exploration, Cathy's college career included studies at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, Highland Community College, the University of Salzburg, Austria, and receiving her Degree in Business from NIU. While studying in Europe, Cathy traveled extensively on Europe's rail system always looking for a new adventure and an opportunity for study. Cathy's first job was that of a cub reporter for the Freeport Journal Standard for two years. Learning the "who, what, when, where and whys" of reporting enhanced her understanding of investigative skills as well as the background for the ins and outs of city business.
For her next adventure, Cathy joined the family wholesale beverage distribution business. Hartman Beverage Company was founded in 1945 by her father, "Kenny or Dad" as he was known to many. In 1986, Cathy purchased HBC and became owner and CEO. Excellent legal and financial advice assisted Cathy in staying competitive in an ever-changing market. Cathy was a member of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois and served on the Board of Directors for ABDI for 27 years and the Executive Board for an additional five years. Cathy won ABDI's highest award, the Mantino Industry Service Award; the first time it was ever awarded to a woman. Valuable employees and a "nose the grindstone" work ethic enabled HBC to remain the last beer wholesaler in Freeport.
Cathy showed great interest in the Freeport community. Being a member the Noon Rotary Club was one of her greatest pleasures. Cathy was involved in hosting GSE teams from other countries and participated with teams traveling to Sweden and Argentina. The "Service before Self" motto was part of her helping untold numbers of people and organizations, never wanting recognition or gain for her deeds. On May 19, 2007 Cathy married the love of her life and soulmate, Martin Lydon. Together they shared the interests of birding, travel, landscaping, geneology, music and the arts to name a few. Their yellow Labrador "Paddy" was most always with her, loving everyone he met.
Cathy leaves behind to husband Martin and their beloved Paddy and Kitty Henrietta, three brothers, Doug (Royette) Ledford of Jacksonville, FL., Ken (Janet) Hartman of Carlsbad, CA. and Tom (Debbie) Hartman of Freeport; two step-daughters Angela Lydon (Matthew) Strand of South Beloit, IL. and Elizabeth Rhodes of Orangeville, IL; three grandchildren, Hunter, Hudson, and Madyson, for whom she had great love and affection; six sisters-in-law, Colleen (Bill) Gift of Freeport, Jena (Jerry) Kranzler of Des Moines, IA, Ann (Drew) Munch of Traverse City, MI., Beth Lydon of Lawrence, KS, Linda (Glen) Sisco of Lander, Wyoming, and Janet (Bob) Dyer of Toledo, Ohio; nephews Doug Ledford and Jon Hartman and their families. Cathy's family would like to extend a special thank you to Monroe Hospice and Monroe Hospital for the wonderful care show to Cathy and her family.
Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Rev. Donnley Dutcher will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday 4:00 - 8:00 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. A memorial has been established in Cathy's memory. Please sign the guestbook or share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.