William Hartl

William “Willie” Hartl, 95 of Devils Lake formerly of Bremen, ND died on Thursday morning, April 16, 2009 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for William will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, rural Bremen in the spring. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Honor Guard will be provided by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for William will be Kevin Regan, Dale Regan, John Hitz, Gene Hartl, George Lies and Jason LaFontaine. Reading Sacred Scriptures will be Cheryl Hefta; Gift Bearers will be Dianne Goebel and Agnes Olson; Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and JoDee Lagein; Interpreter will be Lilia Bakken. William Hartl, son of William and Frances (Dusek) Hartl, was born October 6, 1913 in Bremen Township, North Dakota where he attended country school until the 6th grade. He graduated from high school at School for the Deaf, Devils Lake. He attended special classes at hearing colleges in Wisconsin, Oregon and Arizona. He started his career at School for the Deaf by working on the school farm, then as a bus driver and later Instructor of Industrial Arts for a total of 39 years. He taught sign language to the Sisters who taught religion classes to the deaf children at the school. William traveled to Mexico, Europe, Czechoslovakia and many trips across the United States. He was an expert in wood working, upholstery, and furniture building, leaving examples of his work with his many relatives and friends. William was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and was involved in many activities concerning the deaf children, serving as President of the North Dakota Association of the Deaf at one time. He also was an active member of the Elks Lodge. “Uncle Willie” will be remembered for his generosity and kindness. He leaves one sister, Frances Hitz of Bremen. Forty-five nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Edmund and Albert Hartl; sisters, Henrietta Toay, Hermina Lies, Agnes Hartl and Georgia Walters.