Walter 'Frank' Hartke
April 14, 1945 — August 2, 2023
Walter “Frank” Hartke, 78, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 2, 2023. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood, Cedar Rapids, with presentation of Military Honors beginning at 11 a.m.
Frank was born April 14, 1945, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Fred and Martha (Cannon) Hartke. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School, Class of 1963, and went on to obtain his associate’s degree from Kirkwood Community College. Frank served honorably on the U.S.S. Bushnell in the United States Navy from 1966-68 during the Vietnam War. He worked at Skogman Homes for over 40 years as an architectural draftsman.
Frank loved working on old cars and building remote control boats and airplanes. He was a race fan, whether the dirt track at Hawkeye Downs, small local tracks, or watching NASCAR. Frank was also an avid Hawkeye fan.
Survivors include his sons, Todd (Amy) Hartke of St. Charles, Illinois, and Chad (Deanna) Hartke of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Julianna, Dominic, Evalena, Augustine, Sebastian, Adeline, Harrison, and Holland; sister, Betty (Harold) Nelson of Lorton, Virginia; and brother, Fred (Fran) Hartke of Waterloo, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Hartke; sister, Dorene (Jack) Selleck; and a brother in infancy, Ralph Hartke.
Frank was born April 14, 1945, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Fred and Martha (Cannon) Hartke. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School, Class of 1963, and went on to obtain his associate’s degree from Kirkwood Community College. Frank served honorably on the U.S.S. Bushnell in the United States Navy from 1966-68 during the Vietnam War. He worked at Skogman Homes for over 40 years as an architectural draftsman.
Frank loved working on old cars and building remote control boats and airplanes. He was a race fan, whether the dirt track at Hawkeye Downs, small local tracks, or watching NASCAR. Frank was also an avid Hawkeye fan.
Survivors include his sons, Todd (Amy) Hartke of St. Charles, Illinois, and Chad (Deanna) Hartke of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Julianna, Dominic, Evalena, Augustine, Sebastian, Adeline, Harrison, and Holland; sister, Betty (Harold) Nelson of Lorton, Virginia; and brother, Fred (Fran) Hartke of Waterloo, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Hartke; sister, Dorene (Jack) Selleck; and a brother in infancy, Ralph Hartke.
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