Harlo Clark Sartorius |
| Posted 2007-05-13 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, March 16, 2007 Harlo Clark Sartorius, born March 15, 1930, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Fred and Marie Sartorius, the youngest of three boys. Early in Harlo's life his father tired of cold winters and decided to move the family to Arizona. An uncle who laid railroad track across the desert asked, "Why would you want to move to Arizona? There is nothing but cactus and Indians." Driving across the country in an old car, many flat tires and several dead chickens later, the family arrived in Phoenix in 1943. Harlo attended a local grade school and later graduated from North Phoenix High. Harlo would tell many stories about growing up in Phoenix. "Cruising Central" when it was a two-lane road; blocking traffic by going too slow across the only bridge in Phoenix during rush hour and other boyhood pranks. At the age of 13 Harlo went to work in a local grocery store. These early friendships continue to this day. Harlo spent two years and one day in the Army where he was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. In 1954 he married Suzanne Moore and started a family. Harlo and Suzanne have three children Victoria Jane, Ronald Keith and Julia Marie. Harlo worked several jobs supporting his family. Mothers Cake and Cookie Company, where he drove a purple truck. Planters Peanuts, from which he brought home a Mr. Peanut punching bag. El Rancho Markets as a Household Products and Candy Buyer (this didn't last long because Harlo wouldn't eat the pickles and mustard products being sold.) Harlo worked for F.J. MacDonald Landscaping where he would bring his children who would collect pop bottles from around the nursery. On weekends Harlo had a job selling beer at the local racetrack while his family would watch auto racing. It was Harlo's loud, booming voice that would identify him wherever he went. Harlo started working for American Greetings in 1966 and was with them until his retirement in 1995. The family was moved to Las Vegas, Nev., in 1968. While living in Las Vegas, Harlo served on a murder trial that lasted five weeks and again met friends that would last a lifetime. In 1970 the family was moved to Schaumburg, Ill., as Harlo was promoted into sales management. Illinois brought the family closer to relatives still living in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota area. Leaving Victoria in Illinois to attend college, the rest of the family moved to Danville, Calif., in 1973. Here too, many new lifetime friendships were forged ¬ some over John Phillips Souza being played too early on Saturday mornings. Church and Marriage Encounter were a big part of California life. Harlo always said as his children grew up, he would "move and not leave a forwarding address!" He got close to this in 1984 when he and Suzanne moved to West Germany. Europe was an enjoyable adventure for Harlo and Suzie. Who says you have to speak the language to make friends? Upon returning to the States, Harlo and Suzanne took up residence in New Mexico. When Harlo retired in 1995 they packed up and returned to Arizona and family. They settled in the Dewey/Prescott area not far from where Harlo's parents once had a cabin at Lynx Lake. Although retired, Harlo didn't slow down. He worked several odd jobs, some for pay like stocking vending machines, medical mobile transport and Tim's car dealership. Some jobs for fun such as volunteering to drive for Neighbor to Neighbor, Volunteer parking lot attendant at the Prescott Valley Library, Church Trustee, Prescott Valley Country Club Property Owner's Association and Liaison Representative to the Dewey Humboldt Community Organization. Ask him how he was and he would say "ORNERY." Although he always had a smile and a kind word, he was known and loved as Grumpy and Grumpy Grandpa. Husband to Suzanne, father to Victoria Jane and Don Braden, Ronald Keith and Lorie Sartorius, Julia and Jeff Goetzinger, brother and brother-in-law to Roger and Floranne Sartorius and Jane and David Olsen. Grandfather to Lauren Karasek and Donald Keith and Cindy Sartorius, great-grandfather to Austin Keith and Kayle Marie Sartorius. Uncle to Fredrick Harlo Sartorius, Harold Keith Sartorius, Don Sartorius, Pam Morago, Rick Sine, Robert Sine, Walter Olsen and Ed Olsen, plus several grand nieces and nephews. Harlo was well loved by many and was an adoptive parent, grandparent and uncle to even more. His heart, so full of love, gave out three days before his 77th birthday. He will live on in the hearts and memories of those of us who were lucky enough to be teased and loved by the only person we ever knew as Harlo. Bye, Grumpy, we love you and will always smile whenever we think of you. A visitation will be Friday, March 16, 2007, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sunrise Funeral Home Chapel in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17, 2007, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 7763 E. Long Look Dr., Prescott Valley, Arizona. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2929 S. 48th Street, Tempe, Arizona, 85282 Arrangements entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. |
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