Hartley, Liss 1943-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Liss Hartley was born in Kimballton, Iowa, Jan. 19, 1943, and died at 82 after a courageous battle with cancer on April 10, 2025, at her home in St. Joseph, in the constant care of her family. She was the second oldest daughter of Danish immigrants, Andrew and Karen Korsgaard, and was fully invested in the traditions and values of both Denmark and America.

After graduating from the Kimballton-Elkhorn schools, she lived in California where her daughters, Brenda and Andrea Christensen, were born. Returning to the Midwest, she earned a B.A. from Northwest Missouri State University in art and psychology and married Harrison Hartley on Dec. 17, 1971, their children are Harrison Eric Russell Hartley and Annelise Hartley Thomas.

In St. Joseph, Liss worked in mental health at the Woodson Academy, for Einbender’s Women’s Apparel creating wedding dresses, again in mental health at The Lawrence Homes, and at Mannschreck’s Upholstery for nearly 20 years. The Hartley’s also had rental property and traveled extensively in North America (camping and hiking) and Europe, but Liss’ constant passion was art. She was a jewelry maker and ceramicist, but her forte was graphic art and she was equally adept at pen, pencil, pastel, acrylic, oil, and watercolor. A lover of animals, she played piano, flute, and guitar and reveled in card and board games. She was an energetic gardener, a great walker and exercise machine user, and with her quick wit and penetrating insights, she delighted in conversation.

She is survived by daughters, Brenda Christensen (Larry Seevers), Andrea Kiya (Jon, Elise, and Mitchell); husband, Harrison Hartley; son, Harrison Eric Russell Hartley (Emily and Cass); daughter, Annelise Hartley Thomas (Michael); sister, June Haas; brother, Carl Korsgaard; and many friends.

The family gathered with friends 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to any reputable cancer research project or organization that promotes animal welfare, ecology, civil liberties, or the advancement of science.

Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.