Kathy Hartger ’80

Kathy Lynn Hartger, age 65 of Montague, passed away on Tuesday morning, October 3, 2023 at the Newaygo County Compassion Home in Fremont. She was born on November 4, 1957 in Fremont, Michigan to Willis “Bill” & Thelma (VanKorlaar) Hartger. Kathy graduated from Hope College in 1980, and she was a school teacher in Muskegon County for several years. She enjoyed spending her summers cooking at Camp Pendalouan, she worked in the bakery at Plumb’s for 18 years, and she retired in 2022 from Hilite International in Whitehall. Kathy sang in the Whitehall Community Choir, and she loved her Chihuahuas, baking, camping, and her annual trip to Wheatland Music Festival. She is survived by her brother, David Hartger of Fremont; nieces: Anne (Roman Veldman) Hartger of South Bend, Indiana, Jessica (Tony) deRuda of Albany, Oregon; great-niece Jolie, and great-nephew Xavier. Kathy is also survived by her lifelong partner, Mary Eldridge of Montague, and her siblings and their families: Denny Eldridge of Stanton, Sharon (Earl) Blaisdell of Stanton, Kenny (Penny) Eldridge of Edmore, Carol (Russ) McLean of Stanton, Jan (John) Cranmer of Montague. She was preceded in death by her parents; niece, Kristina Clarno; Mary’s parents, Russel & Phyllis Eldridge; and by Mary’s sister-in-law, Sharon Eldridge.