Joretta "Jo" Hartley

Joretta "Jo" Hartley, 86, passed away on Nov. 8, 2018 at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane.

Jo was born on March 16, 1932 in Galena, Mo. to Hardy Holt and Viola Crabtree. She moved with her family to Kendrick, Idaho in 1939. Her brother, Bud, could not pronounce "Joretta" so she grew up as "Babe" to all her Idaho kin.

Joretta graduated from Kendrick High School in 1950 as salutatorian of her class. She attended North Idaho College of Education in Lewiston, Idaho, then transferred to Eastern Washington State College in Cheney. It was there that she met the love of her life, Harold.

They married on April 26, 1952. Jo continued to pursue her degree while raising a family. Paulette and Minnette provided child care and encouragement while cooking dinners for the kids and Hal.

Nephew Rick and dear friend Ellen spent time with the Hartley kids as well as the Charlton's and McConnell's. Nieces Brenda, Connie and Lucinda enjoyed fishing season at Williams Lake.

When her youngest child entered school, Jo joined her good friend, Pat McConnell, and worked as an instructional aide at Interlake School in Medical Lake.

Hal and Jo enjoyed travelling to Europe to visit grandkids and visiting friends and family all over the U.S. Jo was also a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Cheney.

Jo is survived by her children, Shirley, Gail (Harold), Michael (Lesley) and Eric; granddaughter, Willaina AKA "BJ" (Joey); grandsons, William (Heather), Nathan, Michael and Benjamin; step-grandsons, Sam and Frank; great-granddaughters, Amiyah and Hannah; brother, James H. "Bud" Holt; sister-in-law, Marie Toledo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents; her sister, Linda Groseclose; sister-in-law, Pat Holt; brother-in-law, Ted Groseclose; sons-in-law, Bill Odom and Odell Milliren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 460 N. Fifth Street, Cheney, with a graveside service to follow at 12:30 p.m. at Spokane Memorial Gardens, 5909 S. Cheney-Spokane Rd.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.