Deacon Tom Hartman reflects on faith, family and his decades of service
By Lisa Haefs | For On Mission
ANTIGO — At age 81 and with 45 years of experience, Deacon Tom Hartman is the oldest deacon jubilarian in the Diocese of Green Bay this year.
Although his focus has gradually shifted from his church family to his home life, his commitment to ministry remains as unwavering as it was on the day he was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1980.
“It’s a ministry of service,” Deacon Hartman said. “But now, my focus has shifted a bit. Retirement has allowed me to redistribute my time from my church family to my own family.”
A native of West Bend, he always knew he wanted a career centered on service, but the path was a winding one before he settled on a career in social work.
His first job was with the Menominee County Department of Social Services in Keshena, where he met his future wife, Clara, a member of the Menominee Nation.
“Working with the Menominees, I got to see a different side of life, and how in the past I looked at material things,” he said. “Within the Menominee families, you share even if you are struggling yourself. That was a new experience for me, taking from your own needs to help others.”
Deacon Hartman found his true calling when he learned about the re-emerging permanent diaconate program in the Diocese of Green Bay. Following his ordination, he continued in social work for a time before transitioning to full-time ministry in 1993 at St. Joseph Parish in Phlox and Holy Family Parish in Mattoon. He stayed with those two parishes, which later merged into one, in an administrative role and then as pastoral leader, beginning in 2010.
“It was in the pastoral presence where I felt the greatest strengths,” he said. “It’s not so much the words you say, it is standing by someone’s side when they are suffering. Whatever healing that may take place comes not from me but from Christ working through me.”
Deacon Hartman retired from active ministry in 2017 but continued to serve — often alongside senior priest Fr. Charles Hoffmann — in various roles within the local community. Only in recent years has he allowed family responsibilities to take precedence.
“I tried to stay somewhat involved at first,” he said. “I had known so many people in the parish for so many years, and the parishioners had become family and friends. It was a hard decision.”
“Whatever healing that may take place comes not from me but from Christ working through me”
So he, somewhat reluctantly, stepped away. The decision brought newfound joy.
“My family is now my most important priority,” he said. With Clara by his side, Deacon Hartman cherishes a full life surrounded by their three daughters, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and another on the way.
Deacon Hartman pointed to his sweatshirt and coffee cup — both designed by his daughter, Monique, and granddaughter, Hannah, through their online shop, Little Angel Treasures. The sweatshirt reads, “Do you need a hug?” The coffee cup states, “Love, laughter, family.”
“That describes it all right there,” he said. “That’s my life today.”