Fidelis Hartle was born on May 23, 1931, on the family farm near Adrian, Minnesota to Herman and Bertha Graf Gerdes. She grew up in the Worthington and Reading area and graduated from Worthington High School in 1948. On November 15, 1955, she and Robert Hartle were married at St. Mary’s Church in Worthington. Following their marriage, they made their home in Worthington until 1958 when they moved to Sioux City, IA due to Robert’ s job transfer. After a couple years in Sioux City they moved to Hadley, MN for a short time before moving to a farm near Lake Park, IA. In 1973 the family moved to a farm near Iona, MN and remained there until 2013 when they moved to Slayton, MN. Robert passed away on April 4, 2015. In 2023 Fudge moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton. She passed away there on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the age of 95. She was a member of St. Columba Church in Iona until its closing. She then joined St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Fudge was active in the St. Columba Church serving as usher, and greeter. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America serving as Secretary for 10 years. Fudge was a 4-H Leader, Wonder World and Hospice volunteer. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, gardening, playing cards, and Bingo. A special thanks to her Bingo buddies.
Survivors include her six children and their spouses, Steven and Wendy Hartle of Chandler, MN, Susan Newville of Mankato, MN, Robyn and Bruce Bondhus of Jackson, WI, Lori and Randy “Rudy” Gunnink of Lake Wilson, MN, Scott and Julie Hartle of Chandler, MN, and Dean and Julie Hartle of Cottonwood, MN, 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one sister, JoAnn Bakker, sister- in-law, Marlene Gerdes, and brother and sister-in-laws, Glenn and Fran Hartle, Sandra Dorr, Dale and Deb Hartle. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert, infant son, Daniel Hartle, grandson, Jacob Hartle, granddaughter, Emily Hartle, son-inlaw, Bob Newville, one sister, Thelma Stanley and two brothers, Arnold Gerdes and his wife, Clarice and Alfred Gerdes.
Funeral Services were at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Jordan Danielson officiating. The organist was LuAnn Wolfe. The song leader was Julie Steenstra. The pallbearers were her grandsons. Interment is at St. Columba Cemetery in Iona, MN.
Visitation was on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one-hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangement. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
