Personal Giving Stories

Wife's Love of Children Motivates Husband's Gift

A note from George Hartung:

My late wife, Jean, loved the U of I almost as much as she loved what her education there allowed her to do. After graduating she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream, which was to teach young people. She simply loved kids! Jean spent summers during her college years working at Girl Scout camps and, after graduating, spent her entire career teaching P.E. in Crystal Lake, Ill. When school was out for the summer, you could find her giving swim lessons at Crystal Lake. Even after retiring, she continued her labor of love volunteering at camps for kids with cancer near Green Valley, Ariz., where we retired in 1987. Jean always said southern Arizona was like "paradise on earth."

When Jean passed away, I wanted to do something really special that would honor her and memorialize her love for children and the value she placed on education. To that end, I took some very simple steps to amend our trust so it would provide a substantial gift to the U of I's College of Applied Health Sciences at my death.

Specifically, an endowment will be established in Jean's name that will support students and educational programs in physical education and community health. There will also be a similar gift to the Children's Hospital at the University Medical Center in Tucson. Making these gifts in honor of my wife gives me a great sense of satisfaction, and I am certain that she would be pleased as a result.

Finally, it's my hope that you'll also contact the U of I Foundation to learn how you can help. Making a gift from our estate was a very simple thing to do and, I can assure you, well worth the time and effort. Thank you for your consideration.

Jean (Huber) Hartung (1932-2009) graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1950. She came to the University of Illinois that fall. She graduated in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. From there, Jean set out to pursue her long-held dream of becoming a physical education teacher and spent the next 21 years in the Crystal Lake, Ill., school system. She loved all sports, but her favorite was field hockey. Jean sang in her church choir for nearly 45 years, and she loved the outdoors almost as much as she loved children.

George Hartung graduated from Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill. He also taught in the Crystal Lake school system, where he first met Jean. The couple was married in 1956 and had one daughter, Barbara (Gustafson), who was born in 1959. They have two grandchildren, Amy (22) and Clay (18).

Jean passed away in November 2009 and will be remembered for her love of family, the church, children, nature, crafts and, of course, the U of I. Future generations at her alma mater will also "know" Jean Hartung, as a result of her husband's heartfelt gift.

The U of I Foundation gift planning staff is pleased to answer your questions and offer assistance at any time. Please contact the Foundation to learn more.