Dennis G. Hartig, known warmly by friends and family as "Denny," of Beatrice, Nebraska, passed away in Lincoln on January 8, 2025. Born on October 15, 1944, in Beatrice, NE, USA, Denny dedicated his life to his community, his country, and above all, his family. His journey began when his family moved to Beatrice from Hanover, KS in 1952. Denny was united in marriage to Connie Goetz on June 8, 1963, and they were blessed with 3 children, Rod, Jason and Debbie. He served his country in the United States Marines, embodying the Marine Corps' values of honor, courage, and commitment. Denny was a humble man who took pride in his work, first as a mechanic who owned and operated Midwest Auto & Radiator until 1998, and then as a REALTOR and part owner of Hartig Real Estate, LLC from 1999 until the time he passed away.

Denny was a loyal member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beatrice, where he served as an usher. His dedication to service extended to numerous local organizations. He helped form the local Support American Military Group (SAM), coordinated the formation of the Avenue of Flags at the Gage County Courthouse, and led the fundraising for the current Traubel Popcorn stand. Denny was a member of the Marine Corp League, National, State and Local Realtors Assn and Renter's Assn. He was a former member of Footprinters, Sertoma, and Eagles clubs. He enjoyed fishing, NASCAR racing, the Huskers, and especially enjoyed attending his grandkids activities. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Denny lived his life by this creed, always willing to lend a hand and make a difference in his community.

Dennis is survived by his wife Connie, his sons Jason (Jessie) Hartig of Beatrice and Rod (Elizabeth) Hartig of Hickman; 8 grandchildren Stephanie (Nick) McClung, Brooke (Alan) Mitchell, Trevor (Shelbi) Garton, Shelby (Gehde) Gross, Christian Hartig, Sidney (Dalton Roever) Hartig, Krynn Hartig and Seth Hartig; 7 great grandchildren Jakobe, Theia, Kayson McClung, Caiden Peters & Harley Garton, Rory & Jorja Gross; and his sister-in-law Barbara Hartig; and several nephews, nieces, cousins, and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Erna (Munstermann) Hartig, his daughter Debbie Hartig, and his brothers Larry and Virgil Hartig.

The body will lie in state on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 12:00-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, 708 North 6th Street, Beatrice, Nebraska, 68310. The family will be greeting friends later that day from 6:00-7:30 PM at the same location. A family prayer service will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 321 North 10th Street, Beatrice, Nebraska, 68310, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the American Legion for the Avenue of Flags at the Courthouse, and to St. Paul Lutheran Church with the funeral home in charge. Military honors will be held at the church provided by Bitting-Norman Post #27, American Legion and the United States Marine Corp. Following cremation, the ashes will be buried at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice at a later date. 

As we remember Denny, we invite you to share your memories, watch his video tribute and service, and upload photos to the memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. His legacy lives on in each of us, and your stories will help us all celebrate his remarkable life.

 These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.