Rupert E. Hartshorn's Obituary
HARTSHORN, RUPERT EDWIN age 74, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2013. Rupe will be greatly missed by the love of his life, wife of 52 years, Judy A. Hartshorn; children, Scott, wife, Anne; grandchildren, Drew & Emily; daughter, Melanie, husband, Ron; granddaughter, Elizabeth; daughter, Shelly and grandchildren, Allison, Tyler, Abby and their dad, Randy Slick and his hunting dog, Patches. Sister, Margaret and son, Robbie and family. Sister-in-laws, Judy Hartshorn; children, Neal, Brock (Mandy); son, Taylor , Ronnie (Gene) Kakert, Myra (Craig) Hansen; children, Shea, Lee and Josh and their families, Brother-in-law, Jake (Judy) Warren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Della Hartshorn; brother, Larry Hartshorn and his In-laws, Howard and Mary Warren; great nephews, Craig and Doug Kakert. Rupe was born and raised in Eldorado, Kansas. He attended Butler Community College for two years then finished his college degree & football career at Drake University in Des Moines, Ia. He started his teaching and coaching career in Mitchellville, IA. In 1964 Rupe was hired as the head football coach at New Hampton High School, where he coached and taught History. Rupe also served as the Athletic Director in New Hampton until 1977. He will long be remembered at New Hampton High School for his undefeated football season in fall 1971. In 1977 he left teaching and coaching to make a change in his career and started working for Life Investors in Cedar Rapids, Ia. In 1985 Rupe and Judy moved to Texas and made their final home in Carrollton, Texas. Rupe went back to teaching in 1987 at Mary Grimes High School where he was able to teach the way he wanted, one on one with each student. Even in retirement he still worked part-time at Bass Pro Shop. One of his specialties at Bass Pro was sharpening knives which gained him the reputation from the local William Sonoma store as the go to guy for sharpening kitchen knives. We are not real sure if he ever really made money at Bass-Pro or if he spent all of his earnings on the newest gadgets in fishing and hunting. Rupe loved spending time with his grandchildren cheering on each one of them at their perspective events. As he did with his children Rupe and Judy spent many hours warming the stadium benches to see their grandchildrens assorted activities. He loved making each of them laugh and they knew Grandpa loved each of them dearly. Rupe, an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed living in the south so he could do these year round. He had also taken many special hunting and fishing trips with his son, Scott and son-in-law, Ron. Rupe was very fortunate to have stayed in touch with so many people that he calls his dearest friends from his Eldorado childhood friends, Bulldog teammates at Drake, his football players from New Hampton, teachers from Mary Grimes, his hunting & fishing buddies, his Bass Pro friends and his two closest friends in Texas, Brice Jackson and Tom Snyder. Service will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Restland Wildwood Chapel with visitation prior to service. Reception will follow at Restland Funeral home.
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