David M. Hartshorne

Hartshorne, David M. MADISON – David M. Hartshorne, age 85, passed away at home in Madison on Oct. 26, 2014, following a very long illness. David was born on Sept. 7, 1929, in Madison, to Stephen and Martha (Flom) Hartshorne and was the oldest of 3 children. He attended 14 different schools in Wisconsin and California. In 1939, David was asked to take part in the cornerstone ceremony for the new Lapham School because he, his mother, and his grandfather had all attended the old Brayton School. The family lived in Inglewood, Cal. during World War II while his parents worked at aircraft factories; David remembered sneaking outside during an air raid and watching as a foreign fighter plane was strafed by anti-aircraft fire. He also remembered sneaking into Hollywood Park to watch horse races. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he worked as a draftsman in the MPRTC, achieved a Marksmanship rating, and was honorably discharged as a Corporal. David met Margaret M. McGinnis in July 1957 in a Kroger’s checkout line when they both worked in downtown Madison, and they were married in Feb. 1958. He worked for the State of Wisconsin from 1956-1985, retiring as Supervisor of the Microfilm Laboratory. David and Margaret raised their children in Madison, fulfilling his goal of moving his family as few times as possible in contrast to his own childhood. The annual Mt. Horeb 4th of July golf game and family picnic began early in their marriage with old friends and neighbors; the Amacher, Bewick, Gausmann, and Bryant families. David and Margaret also enjoyed their outings and cruises with the Hankos and Meyers. One of David and Margaret’s last trips was with Doug and Carol Hartshorne, traveling across the country to visit two of their children in Colorado and Arizona. David was a league bowler, winning the Knights of Columbus Council No. 4527 Tournament in 1971. He was an artist, photographer, and jack of all trades, taking care of all house and car repairs. His favorite room was his workshop, where he spent many hours tinkering; he left behind numerous gadgets that he invented and constructed out of spare parts he had accumulated over the years. David is survived by his children, Patricia Hartshorne (Mickey Reed), Paul (Brenda) Hartshorne and Linda (Joe) Hartshorne-Shafer; grandchildren, Jerik, Alyssa, and Sarah Hartshorne, Martin Sowls, and Melissa, Sarah, and Ella Shafer; great-grandchild, Logan Lapp; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carol Hartshorne, Ramona Welhouse, Lyle and Mary E. McGinnis, William and Georgiana McGinnis, Thomas and Mary McGinnis, Joan and Donald Hue, Rosemarie and Martin Lake, Donna Farina and Maryann and Phil DeBruin; many nieces, nephews, cousins (especially Roy Johnson, who he said was like a brother to him); and grand-dogs and grand-cats. David was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret; infant daughters, Jean Anne and Martha Rose; brother, Douglas Hartshorne; sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Edsel Nofsinger; grandson, Monie Shafer; mother and father-in-law, Lyle and Rose (Heimmermann) McGinnis; stepmother-in-law, Marie (Taylor) McGinnis; and brother-in-law, Anthony Welhouse. By David’s request, there was no funeral service. A private burial was performed at Highland Memory Gardens in Madison, followed by lunch and Brandy Old Fashioneds at his favorite restaurant, the Black Bear Lounge in Cottage Grove. Funeral arrangements were handled by GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare. His family thanks Agrace HospiceCare for their care and support. David could be stubborn and infuriating at times, but that prickly hermit exterior hid a gentle heart with a great sense of humor, and he would stand at his workbench rather than make his beloved cat leave his chair. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.